India’s Hindustan HAL-228 Gets Modern With Genesys Aerosystems S-TEC4000R

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), an Indian state-owned aircraft manufacturer has selected Genesys Systems’ S-TEC 4000R autopilot for its HINDUSTAN-228 aircraft.

The HINDUSTAN-228 is an interesting looking aircraft, it’s a twin-engine turboprop, high-wing, boxy-looking like a Short 360, but slimmer, and 54 feet long. It originally began life as the Dornier 228 that was designed and manufactured by Dornier/Fairchild-Dornier) from 1981-1998, and in 1983, HAL (not to be confused with HAL of the Space Odyssey movie), bought a production license, and here we are.

The installation of the S-TEC 4000R autopilot brings a modern digital system with VNAV, envelope protection and alerting, wings level mode, integrated yaw damper, SAR capabilities, and more. Genesys’ IDU-680 EFIS, a half-size Garmin G1000 is geared towards fixed-wing aircraft and brings many capabilities, including the modular LRU.

Genesys stated that “the program will include 20 years of additional support to the platform.” The HAL-228 is configurable for three different missions: Commuter (seating 19), VIP/Executive (seating 10), and Air Ambulance (for 2 stretchers, 5 personnel, and optional ‘medical facilities’). Crew seating for two is available up front is standard, as is restroom with each configuration.

HAL, headquartered in Bengaluru has been in business since 1940, and has a long history in aerospace and defense manufacturing.

FMI: https://genesys-aerosystems.com, https://hal-india.co.in