LCA-Tejas (LSP-08) takes off on its maiden flight

Bangalore: The LCA-Tejas (LSP-08) had its maiden flight here on Sunday from HAL airport setting the stage for its initial operation clearance.

"The performance of the aircraft was flawless and with this, the Initial Operation Clearance for the aircraft can be expected soon," HAL chairman Dr RK Tyagi said in a statement. Air Commodore K A Muthana, VSM, Programme Director (Flight Test) piloted the aircraft on its maiden flight. The flight clearance by the certifying agencies was accorded today for the aircraft after ensuring that all the aircraft systems were functioning satisfactorily on ground, he said. He said the aircraft normally undergo high speed taxy trials prior to the first flight. "However, with the confidence gained by the flight crew and the certifying agencies during the build and ground checks, a decision was taken to proceed with first flight without going through a separate high speed taxy trial," Tyagi said. PTI