Having received a green signal from the government under the new regional connectivity policy, India’s first indigenous civil aircraft Saras is likely to take first flight in June, if everything goes as per plan.

The Saras has been fitted with a modified engine and various  specifications have also been modified. It is a 14-seater plane.

It’s first prototype had done its maiden flight on May 29, 2004. At that time, it was found that aircraft was overweight at 5,118kg compared to the design specifications of  4,125kg. The original design had specified  a payload of 1,232kg.  and maximum takeoff weight of 6,100kg.

The new Saras will now have multi-role capabilities including light cargo transport, troop transport, aerial survey, reconnaissance, feeder line aircraft, executive aircraft as well as air ambulance.

Saras aircraft has been handed to the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) for test flights by Bengaluru-based developers National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), as per Times of India reports.

NAL Director Jitendra J Jadhav said, "The engine tests have already begun. The low-speed taxi and high-speed taxi trials are expected to be completed by the end of this month. After that, the ASTE will do the first flight most probably in the first week of June."

The new Saras will certainly give boost to the government’s ambitious regional air connectivity plan under Udan scheme, when it clears airworthiness test flights and goes for commercial production