In a remarkable feat, a commercial pilot, who made a full-fledged aircraft on the terrace of his residence, has been given a registration certificate by the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Armed with the DGCA's certificate, Capt. Amol Yadav, currently a Deputy Chief Pilot with Jet Airways, can now undertake further tests and fly the aircraft built by him in the open skies. Working in a single-handed manner for the past six years, Yadav has built the six-seater aircraft on a residential building terrace at Kandivali in north Mumbai, where he lives.
Maharashtra chief Fadnavis formally handed over the DGCA certificate to Capt. Yadav on Monday.
“Encouraging efforts... Great example of @makeinindia ! Captain Amol Yadav gets certificate of registration from DGCA, meets CM @Dev_Fadnavis to thank his efforts and follow up with Hon PM @narendramodi & Govern
ment of India It is 1st Indian private company to get this certificate!,” the Chief Minister’s Office tweeted a message congratulating Yadav on his feat.
It may be recalled that Yadav (41) had displayed the aircraft during the ‘Make In India’ exhibition in Mumbai in February last year. The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of several foreign dignitaries.
At that time, Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Fadnavis had seen the aircraft built by Yadav. They had appreciated Yadhav’s efforts and assured him all help to make his venture a success.
Talking to media persons, Yadav said: “The terrace atop my three-BHK flat is spread over around 1,600 square feet and served as my workshop for this aircraft which I created in the past over six years”.
According to Yadav, the inspiration to assemble a full-fledged plane came to him after he witnessed aviation enthusiasts in the United States purchasing phased-out aircraft and remodelling them into customized six-seater or twelve-seater flying machines.
Parked currently on an airstrip in Dhule, Yadav's aircraft Yadav can fly up to a height of 13,000 feet, climbing at 1500 feet per minute, achieve top speeds of 185 knots with a range of 2,000 km. It has a capacity to carry six people.
On its part, the Maharashtra Government has offered a 155-acre plot in Palghar, adjacent to Mumbai from where Yadav intends to build up to 20-seater passenger aircraft over the next few years through his venture, Thrust India Company.