HAL's Civil Aviation business got a boost with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) according an approval to HAL's Transport Division at Kanpur for maintenance and repair of Dornier (Do-228) and Avro (HS 748) aircraft. "HAL TAD Kanpur has obtained these approvals after rigorous audit by the team of DGCA officials," said T. Suvarna Raju, Chairman, HAL.

Last month, HAL bagged a major Defence contract for supplying 14 Do-228 aircraft to the Indian Air Force. HAL has so far produced 125 Do 228 and 89 HS 748. They are in service with Indian defence forces and others.

One Do 228 was exported to Seychelles in 2013. The Government of Mauritius recently signed a contract with HAL to acquire HAL made Dornier aircraft for maritime surveillance to guard its extensive coastline.

The Kanpur Division is now DGCA approved facility for maintenance and repair of both Do 228 and HS-748 aircraft as per CAR-145. The CAR 145 was introduced on January 26, 2005 to harmonize requirements for approval of aircraft maintenance organizations with that of international requirements.

The availability of type rated license holders in airframe, engine and avionics is a prerequisite for grant of these approvals apart from adequate facilities and documentation for maintenance and repair of aircraft.

Since type rated license holders on these aircraft were not available in open job market, HAL's Kanpur Division undertook DGCA approved courses in ‘A', ‘C', ‘E', ‘I' & ‘R' categories. An oral cum practical test by DGCA was then arranged for award of type rated AME licenses to the personnel of TAD Kanpur.
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