Raj Hamsa Ultralights is an Indian private limited company and

ultralight aircraft Ultralight aviation (called microlight aviation in some countries) is the flying of lightweight, 1- or 2-seat fixed-wing aircraft. Some countries differentiate between weight-shift control and conventional three-axis control aircraft with ailer ...

manufacturer, founded in 1980 at Pondicherry,

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

by Joel Koechlin (of the Koechlin family) of

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

. The company is one of India's largest aircraft manufacturers and is the only producer of commercial microlight aircraft. It started in 1980 producing

hang glider Hang gliding is an air sport or recreational activity in which a pilot flies a light, non-motorised foot-launched heavier-than-air aircraft called a hang glider. Most modern hang gliders are made of an aluminium alloy or composite frame covered ...

s, introduced

powered hang glider A foot-launched powered hang glider (FLPHG), also called powered harness, nanolight, or hangmotor, is a powered hang gliding, hang glider harness with a internal combustion engine, motor and propeller (aircraft), propeller in pusher configuratio ...

s in 1983 and the X-Air line of microlights in 1993. By 2007, the company had produced over 1,000 aircraft.Jackson, Paul (ed): ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2002-2003'', pages 183-184. Jane's Publishing Company, 2002.
- Jackson, Paul (ed): ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003-2004'', pages 190-191. Jane's Publishing Company, 2003.
- Jackson, Paul (ed): ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2005-2006'', pages 205-206. Jane's Publishing Company, 2005.
- Jackson, Paul (ed): ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2006-2007'', pages 239-240. Jane's Publishing Company, 2006.
- Jackson, Paul (ed): ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2007-2008'', pages 254-255. Jane's Publishing Company, 2007. The company's headquarters and sole manufacturing facility is located at

Bangalore Bangalore (), officially Bengaluru (), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of more than and a metropolitan population of around , making it the third most populous city and fifth most ...

. The company employs 30-35 people and produces about 100 aircraft kits annually. The company's X-Air 'S' and 'F' models have been successful in the market and are exported widely.Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page B-112. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. The new Hawk model, known as Hanuman in India, is currently awaiting Indian and UK certification. The ultralights manufactured by Raj Hamsa are some of the least expensive available in

and many parts of the world. The company is a factory agent for

Jabiru Aircraft engines The jabiru ( or ; ''Jabiru mycteria'') is a large stork found in the Americas from Mexico to Argentina, except west of the Andes. It sometimes wanders into the United States, usually in Texas, but has been reported as far north as Mississippi. ...

Aircraft

; X-Air :The X-Air was the first aircraft produced by the company. A total of 1300 X-Air F and S have been exported by the company. Standard equipment is a Rotax 582 and basic instruments. The XAir is certified to UK BCAR Section "S".
- Raj Hamsa Ultralights XAIR-H Hanuman N929XH 01

Raj Hamsa Ultralights XAIR-H Hanuman N929XH 01

; X-Air Hanuman :This model is based upon the X-Air "F" Gumnam, with a more conventional nose-mounted engine configuration. Designed for leisure flying and

flight training Flight training is a course of study used when learning to pilot an aircraft. The overall purpose of primary and intermediate flight training is the acquisition and honing of basic airmanship skills. Flight training can be conducted under a str ...

the

Jabiru 2200 The Jabiru 2200 is a lightweight naturally aspirated, pushrod four-stroke, flat four, air-cooled aircraft engine produced by Jabiru Aircraft. Design and development The conventional direct-drive engine is fitted with an alternator, silencers, ...

and Rotax 582 engines are optional. This aircraft is . The aircraft is known in North America as the X-AIR "H"
- ;

Voyager Voyager may refer to: Computing and communications * LG Voyager, a mobile phone model manufactured by LG Electronics * NCR Voyager, a computer platform produced by NCR Corporation * Voyager (computer worm), a computer worm affecting Oracle ...

:A two-seat cross-country capable ultralight trike powered by a Rotax 503 or Jabiru 2200. ;

Clipper A clipper was a type of mid-19th-century merchant sailing vessel, designed for speed. Clippers were generally narrow for their length, small by later 19th century standards, could carry limited bulk freight, and had a large total sail area. "C ...

:A two-seat ultralight trike powered by a Rotax 503 engine designed for training and recreational flying.

Certification

The X-Air and Hanuman are both accepted by

Transport Canada Transport Canada (french: Transports Canada) is the department within the Government of Canada responsible for developing regulations, policies and services of road, rail, marine and air transportation in Canada. It is part of the Transportati ...

as Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes in Canada. The Hanuman is an approved US

Federal Aviation Administration The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the country as well as over surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic m ...

Light sport aircraft as the model X-Air XA85.

References

External links

Raj Hamsa's Indian websiteRaj Hamsa's US website
{{Raj Hamsa Ultralights Aircraft manufacturers of India Manufacturing companies based in Bangalore 1980 establishments in Pondicherry Indian companies established in 1980 Manufacturing companies established in 1980