NDA acquires Super Dimona aircraft

NDA acquires Super Dimona aircraft
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Pune, Nov 22: The National Defence Academy (NDA) today acquired the Super Dimona aircraft, to be used for training Air Force cadets.

Formally handing over the aircraft, Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis exhorted the cadets to imbibe the virtue of discipline, courage and confidence and make the flying machines a part of their physical extension.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt General S B S Kochar, the commandant of the cadets, said till date the flying training of Air Force cadets at NDA was being conducted on Andhra gliders which are winch-towed, twin seater aircraft.

With the advancements in aviation, need was felt to introduce training on powered aircraft at the NDA to derive maximum benefit in terms of flying time and keeping in view the future training needs, he said.

Manufactured by Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria, it is a twin seater, used for basic training, and fitted with a single Rotax 912 engine delivering 81 horse power. The aircraft has a maximum range of over 900 kms and can fly for over five hours at a stretch, climbing upto a height of 16,500 feet.

It has good gliding characteristics and its engine can be switched off in the air to carry out power off sailing. The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment like Global Positioning System (GPS), Very High Frequency Omni directional Ranging (VOR), Radio sets for two way communication as also an intercom.