New Delhi, Jan 16 (UNI) For the first time, India’s effort in reducing its dependence on crude oil will be showcased by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in this year Republic Day flypast.
The IAF will fly a formation of AN 32 transport aircraft which will utilize Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) blended with 10 per cent Bio Fuel which has been extracted from Jatropha Plant seeds using a technology patented by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Dehradun-based Indian Institute of Petroleum. The aircraft will be piloted by Sqn Ldr Mehtab Sond of the Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE).
“Presently, we are in experimental phase. These trials will continue for some time. There are two aspects – what is the impact of Bio Jet fuel or blend on the systems and the engine of the aircraft and where the production will come from. What will be the quantities required if we have to do a full scale conversion and how it will work,” Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor said here on Wednesday after the preview of IAF contingent of Republic Day parade.
On being asked if any nation has fully shifted to BioFuel, the IAF officer said, “No nation has completely changed over to BioFuel. They all are in various stages of testing, trials and impact studies. It is a slow process. What we want to do is – we want to prove a concept. Once we prove the concept, we know it’s not a big deal to how to do it.”
On December 17, Experimental Test Pilots and Test Engineer from IAF’s premier testing establishment ASTE, flew India’s first military flight using blended bio-jet fuel on the An-32 transport aircraft. On performance, the officer added, “We have flown a few sorties. The fact is that the aircraft has taken off, has done some flying and then landed on. There is no impact. The aircraft performed very well.”
The move will help in boosting rural economy and significant reduction on imported crude oil. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also vouched for reduction of crude oil imports and dependency to the tune of 10 per cent by 2021.
On Republic Day, the flypast will compromise of 37 aircraft that include 33 aircraft of IAF and four helicopters of Indian Army’s aviation wing. The aircraft types include 18 fighters, eight transport planes and 11 choppers.
Besides, the IAF’s tableaux for Republic Day include home-grown LCA Tejas, Sukhoi 30 MKI, Akash Missile System and Low Level Light Weight Radar. “IAF safeguarding the Indian Skies” is the theme of this year Republic Day.
UNI ASH/VT 1813