CSIR’s Indigenously Designed and Developed HANSA-3(NG) Trainer Aircraft Signifies Giant Leap for Creating India’s Robust Aviation Ecosystem
By R Anil Kumar
- Huge Opportunity for Startups and MSMEs; Potential for Employment Generation through Indigenization of Technologies
- Democratization and Decentralization of Pilot Training to Reduce Costs and Realize Youth Aspirations
- Collaboration Model of Space Economy to be Replicated in Aviation Sector to Meet Growing Demand
Bengaluru, June 10, 2026. The licensing of the HANSA-3(NG) two-seater trainer aircraft has been granted to M/s Pioneer Clean Amps Pvt. Ltd, said Dr. Abhay A. Pashilkar, Director, CSIR-NAL.
Speaking to R. Anil Kumar, (Doordarshan), Mr. Pashilkar said, the aircraft will fulfil the requirements of flying clubs in providing PPL (Private Pilot License) and CPL (Commercial Pilot License) training to the young generation.
He emphasized the need to develop a large and world-class flying training ecosystem in India to meet the rapidly growing demand of the Indian aviation sector.
The availability of CSIR’s indigenous HANSA-3(NG) aircraft will strengthen India’s aviation industry and help realize Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of India becoming a leading aviation hub by the end of the decade and achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Dr. Pashilkar highlighted the huge opportunity for StartUps and MSMEs, along with significant employment generation potential through the indigenization of aviation technologies.
He emphasized that indigenous small aircraft manufacturing under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative would support the development of infrastructure and promote small & medium-scale private entrepreneurs in the production of airworthy components, including assembly and integration of aircraft in India.
The Director of CSIR-NAL also pointed out the socio-economic potential of this initiative, which will create employment opportunities through on-the-job training for ITI & Diploma holders in various disciplines of aircraft building and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) training.
Dr.Pashilkar reaffirmed the government’s focus on democratization and decentralization of pilot training, which will reduce the cost of pilot training and give wings to the aspirations of youth, many of whom give up on their dream of becoming pilots due to affordability issues.
He stated, “Success in Space Economy by collaborating with the private sector will now be replicated in the aviation sector to meet the growing demand.”
According to Reports, India will need 30,000 pilots over the next 15–20 years, up from the current 6,000–7,000 pilots, as Indian airlines collectively have over 1,700 aircraft on order. Currently, India’s commercial aircraft fleet stands at over 800 aircraft. Typically, each aircraft requires 15–20 pilots for narrow-body aircraft and 25–30 pilots for long-range wide-body jets.
Hence, there is an urgent need to create a world-class flying training ecosystem in the country.
The HANSA-3(NG) aircraft comes equipped with a digital display (glass cockpit) system and is powered by an advanced fuel-efficient Rotax 912 iSc3 Sports engine. The aircraft features a bubble canopy with a cabin width of 43 inches and electrically operated flaps, meeting modern user requirements.
It offers excellent performance with a range of 620 nautical miles, 7 hours of endurance, and a maximum cruise speed of 98 Knots Calibrated Airspeed (KCAS).
The successful flying demonstration of HANSA-3(NG) at Aero India 2025 reflects CSIR’s unwavering commitment to developing indigenous technologies to meet the national need. These efforts aim to serve end customers like Flying Training Organizations (FTOs), ensuring a complete ecosystem for commercialization of CSIR technologies.
Dr. Abhay Pashilkar, Director shared that CSIR-NAL has received Letters of Intent (LOI) for 110+ HANSA-3(NG) aircraft from FTOs across the country. To meet the domestic demand and export potential, CSIR-NAL has partnered with M/s Pioneer Clean Amps Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, who will set up a manufacturing facility, in alignment with the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The Hansa-3 NG, India’s first all-composite two-seat trainer, has been designed to meet rising demand for pilot training. Industry partner Pioneer Clean Amps is setting up a ₹150-crore manufacturing facility in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, with a capacity to produce up to 100 aircraft annually.
The aircraft will help reduce dependence on imported trainers and support domestic aviation training institutions at a time when India is set to become one of the world’s top three aviation markets.
The SARAS Mk-2, a 19-seater light transport aircraft is under development for civilian and military use. The aircraft is expected to support regional air connectivity under the UDAN scheme and reduce India’s reliance on foreign-made small passenger aircraft.
Key features include a pressurised cabin, digital avionics, a glass cockpit and weight-reduction optimisations.
The developments reflect the government’s focus on strengthening indigenous aircraft manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign platforms.
The Advancements in trainer aircraft, regional transport aircraft, high-altitude platforms and defence unmanned systems will support India’s goal of becoming a major aviation hub by 2035.
