Getting Bigger

With the MoUs signed in the recent past, Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd expects to generate new business opportunities and favourably impact the fortunes of the company

Spurred on by the emerging opportunities in the aerospace industry not only in India but also the world over, Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd (TAAL), located at Hosur in Tamil Nadu, is aspiring to emerge as a leading player in the regime of design, development and manufacture of aero-structures, assemblies and even complete aircraft. Headed by Chief Executive Officer S.M. Kapoor, the factory has a 360-strong workforce of aeronautical engineers and skilled workmen. Most of the members of the team have over a decade of experience of working in different disciplines related to the process of aircraft manufacturing.

process of aircraft manufacturing. The company lays great emphasis on regular training of its employees and executives to enable them to update their domain knowledge and remain abreast of the latest developments in the field of aircraft manufacturing technology. The employees are encouraged to contribute towards the development of new processes and technologies to meet the customer requirements. Over the years, TAAL has made sizeable investments to expand the infrastructure at Hosur. Today, the well-developed and elaborate infrastructure at the Aircraft Manufacturing Complex is duly supported by sound knowledge base.

The factory at Hosur has a fully functional airfield with a 2,287-metre runway—long enough for the Boeing 737 and A320 class of aircraft. The airfield has hangars, apron, air traffic control, emergency/firefighting vehicles and night landing facilities.

Product Range And Activities

Apart from the manufacture of complete aircraft for civilian use, the factory undertakes manufacture of aero structures, repair and modification of aircraft. The product range from the company includes the six-seat, twin engine P68C Business Aircraft, Thorp T-211 Light Sport Aircraft, Nishant unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), NAL-designed all-composite Hansa trainer aircraft, structures for the NAL-designed Saras aircraft, structural assemblies for the satellite launch vehicles for ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and assemblies for advanced light helicopter (ALH), light combat aircraft (LCA), intermediate jet trainer (IJT), all built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). TAAL is the sole distributor and authorised maintenance agency in India for the Cessna Business Jets. It also carries out maintenance and overhaul of the P68C.

In the recent past, TAAL completed the design, manufacture, qualification, trials and supply of CEMILAC-certified transmitter and receiver coils for Heli-borne time domain electro-magnetic (TDEM) system along with the tow mechanism. The transmitter and receiver coils are meant for detection of conductive deposits (minerals), 300-400 metres below the surface of the earth. Developed in two sizes, the Antenna Housing made out of composite materials, are of 16 and 22 metres diameter. The system is to be installed on the ALH. The design has taken into account the aerodynamic forces on the system while in-flight and evaluation of coupled analysis between the helicopter and TDEM. On March 23, 2010, the 16-metre diameter TDEM housing was subjected to tests on the ground to ascertain the load-bearing capability before the maiden flight which is expected in the near future. This is the first time that such an advanced system has been developed in the country by an Indian aerospace company in the private sector.

The company has established itself as one of the major subcontractors for the supply of components, assemblies and sub-assemblies for ALH and the IJT. During 2009, the company was awarded the contract for the manufacture of the bottom structure for ALH. The first set completed in February 2010, was cleared by HAL and DGAQA. The company has bulk orders for the manufacture of tail plane and elevator for the IJT. TAAL will be in the race for the contracts for the manufacture of assemblies for SU30 MKI, LCA, IJT and ALH in the future.