Isn't it true that in the US a homemade airplane is relatively easily registered without much hassle? Just remember reading about airplane kits and whatnot.<p>I don't understand the aviation minister's concern that "he'll crash". Is it fear of embarrassing the country or actual concern for protecting the guy's life? Or would the registration imply endorsement of safety and put others' lives at risk?<p>One of the biggest controls on recreational flying in the US for folks I know is the difficulty in getting life insurance coverage. It's a rather effective market restraint: if you're wealthy enough to afford the hobby, you're also likely keen on providing for your family.
"...PMO has pulled up top officials of the DGCA - aviation regulator -- and asked them to follow a procedure to clear Yadav's project expeditiously. After several meetings between the DGCA and Yadav on Monday, the regulator said it would register his six-seater aircraft and would ensure its air-worthiness without any further delay."<p>More: <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/after-rap-from-pmo-dgca-to-soon-clear-mumbai-pilots-plane/articleshow/61376986.cms" rel="nofollow">https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation...</a>
Just out of curiosity, I went to their website at <a href="http://www.thrustaircraft.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.thrustaircraft.com/</a>. There's this quote that caught my attention: <i>Talk To Yourself Once In A Day.. Otherwise You May Miss Meeting An Excellent Person in this World</i> - Swami Vivekananda
This is my favorite rooftop airplane:<p><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7042005,-74.0081902,115m/data=!3m1!1e3" rel="nofollow">https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7042005,-74.0081902,115m/dat...</a>
> He has spent about $800,000 of his own, and his family's money, and has sold properties and pawned family jewellery to fund his dream.<p>> "In India, innovation by commoners like me is not taken seriously. [...]"
My very first question on reading the headline was, <i>but how will you get it down</i><p>Then I read the article:<p>> Incredulous friends and family members asked the young pilot how he planned to bring the plane down once it was complete.<p>Good to know I'm not alone!<p>Great article.
Reminds me of Peter Sripol, a young dude whose built one primarily of styrofoam.<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6CS-YJ3_VU" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6CS-YJ3_VU</a>
Just a quick look at the design reveals the rear wheels are nowhere near the center of gravtity. This is important if you want to rotate on take off at reasonable speeds and land smoothly. He should know such basic stuff if he really flies for a living. Also the engine lacks cooling obviously. Cant‘t take such stories serious, as in some way they discredit real Indian engineers who build stuff, including planes, that are much more refined than this comedy. On a nerd level of course, I think I like this guy for not caring and just trying. Then again the article is framed as if he was some kind of bright example for India.
Cant be too sure but there seems to be something off about the math in the dollar amount... The article says he spent $800,000. Lets assume the going rate of USD->INR is 1->60 (it is really 64 but I love easy math!) that would mean he spent 48mil Rupees making a plane, at that price he could have owned 16 or so cessna 172's. Just food for thought.