Article Posted on : - Nov 20, 2010

A file photo of Tejas LCA.

BANGALORE (PTI): India's light combat aircraft Tejas, in its march towards operational status, achieved an important milestone Friday when it made its first flight.

The fifth Limited Series Production (LSP5) aircraft, the first LCA in the operational configuration for the Indian Air Force, was piloted by test pilot Lt Cdr Ankur Jain from the Indian Navy.

The aircraft took off at 1054 hours and achieved a maximum speed of 0.8 Mach, 4G turns and an altitude of 11 km during the 40-minute flight.

The flight was uneventful and all systems functioned normally, clearing all the test points, according to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

This is the culmination of efforts of all stakeholders -- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Indian Air Force, DRDO labs, defence PSUs, Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification, Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality assurance, and Aeronautical Development Agency.

"This has been a great team effort to get the final standard aircraft in the flight line," DRDO said in a statement.

The LSP-5 first flight was directed by Wg Cdr Sreedharan Toffeen, test director. Gp Capt G Thomas, chief test pilot of the National Flight Test Centre piloted the chase aircraft.