Air Chief flies ALH powered by Shakthi engine

    Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major flew the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) – Dhruv -- powered by the Shakthi engine in Bangalore on Thursday. The flight was piloted by Wg Cdr (Retd) Unni Pillai, Deputy Chief Test Pilot of HAL.

    The flight, which lasted for over 20 minutes, saw the Air Chief taking keen interest in the sophisticated electronic digital control systems and other onboard equipment tailor-made for various missions.

    After the flight, Air Chief Marshal Major described ALH as an outstanding flying platform with multiple features. “It’s a great feeling to fly a beautiful machine,” he said. He also visited various facilities in the Helicopter Division.

    Later, HAL Chairman Mr Ashok K. Baweja briefed the Air Chief about the weaponsied version of the Dhruv.

Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major, PVSM, AVSM, SC, VM, ADC, Chief of Air Staff with Shri Ashok K Baweja, Chairman HAL with the weaponised Dhruv helicopter (ALH) at Helicopter Division of HAL, after the flight of ALH on November 15th, 2007

Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major, PVSM, AVSM, SC, VM, ADC, Chief of Air Staff briefed about weaponry of Dhruv helicopter by Wg. Cdr. C.D Upadhyay, Chief Test Pilot in the presence of Shri Ashok K Baweja, Chairman HAL at Helicopter Division of HAL, after the flight of ALH on November 15th, 2007