Locally manufactured aircrafts are no longer the stuff of dreams with the debut of Sahab 73, the first Syrian-made light aircraft, at the Damascus International Trade Fair.
Exhibitor of Sahab 73, Eng. Safwan says “I have unspeakable joy and feel confident that we can do it just like others can with complete competence and simple capabilities and support.”
The ID of the aircraft, which has been unveiled during the Damascus International Fair, although having already carried out some 50 flights, is Sahab 73 and it was made in 2011 by no more than ten engineers who graduated from the Military Engineering Academy and the Higher Institute of Applied Sciences.
In an interview with SANA, Safwan reveals details about the building process of Sahab 73, saying “It is a light aircraft for training and it is equipped with two adjacent seats.
“It works on a piston engine. The aircraft is 5.9 meters long with a maximus speed of 200 km per hour and a flying range of 4000 meters. The first nationally-made aircraft flies 180 km as a line of sight and needs a runway for landing …it runs on gasoline.”
Answering a question on the expected use of the aircraft, Safwan says that it could be used for border control, transporting people, tourism but it would be basically used for training pilots.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
