Turkish Basic Trainer Aircraft Hürkuş Accomplishes the Maiden Flight
Turkish Basic Trainer Aircraft “Hürkuş”, designed by TAI engineers in order to meet the demand of the Air Forces Command’s requirements for trainer aircrafts, accomplished its first flight 13 months after the roll-out. A total of four prototypes have been manufactured within the scope of the Project and the prototypes shall go through structural tests composed of two flight and two static ground tests. As the static resistance, cabin pressure and vibration tests were accomplished and reported successfully and with the permission granted by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) in August before the maiden flight, Hürkuş’ Accelaration tests on the ground have been launched.
During the tests performed at the Akıncı Air Base in Ankara, Hürkuş’ taxi in the runway, wheel steering, right-left drafts, braking lags and Acceleration tests were performed both in windy and still weather. Following the control of such phases and confirmation of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and SHGM, Hürkuş was given permission for the maiden flight. After the determination of appropriate weather conditions, altitude and speed limits, “Hürkuş” realized its maiden flight on 29th August.
Following the engine started at 07:30 am, Hürkuş, took off at 07:35 am after taking the required permission from the control tower. During the flight, Hürkuş climbed 9500 ft and completed with the control of flight surfaces and has successfully landed after a 33-minute test flight. Hürkuş realized the whole flight with gears extended as planned and made a successful landing. TAI’s Test Pilot Murat Özpala who realized the first flight, said that the aircraft reacted to the commands as well as foreseen by the engineers and added that its 1600 hp engine provided the aircraft a high take-off performance.
Hürkuş’ each point could be traced at any time with the 600 special sensors over the aircraft and its flight tests are planned to last for 1,5 years. Within this period with 500 sorties of test flights shall be realized by TAI pilots and eventually aircraft’s system and aerodynamic structure would be confirmed. “Hürkuş” would become entitled to receive an international-type flight certificate following the accomplishment of these tests jointly run by EASA and SHGM.
3 Different Models to be Developed
As per the Contract, Hürkuş-A has civil type certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency and three more models are planned to be manufactured. Except for Type A, which is equipped with commercial avionics and to obtain certification from General Directorate of Civil Aviation / EASA, Type B, to be equipped with military devices and Type C, to be equipped with 1,5 tons of load for close air support are planned to be manufactured.
