India’s first 20 - Seater Plane from Thrust Aircraft Private Limited
The common thing between a former Air Vice Marshal, a senior commander with Jet Airways, an engineer with ISRO’s space program, a senior Maharashtra government official, an IITian and a Hindustan Aeronautics official—they had the same dream – to build India’s first 20-seater passenger aircraft.
For allotting 157 acres in Palghar to Amol Yadav’s (a senior commander with Jet Airways) dream project of mass producing a 20-seater indigenously designed aircraft the Maharashtra government will be holding a crucial meet to clear the decks on Monday. Within 15 months from the date of allotment of land the first prototype of the aircraft is likely to get ready.
Yadav has been in the news subsequent to building a 6-seater traveler plane (TAC 003) on the terrace of his house in Charkop, Mumbai. The aircraft additionally highlighted in the inaugural 'Make in India' program at BKC a year ago.
When asked, Yadav credits the involvement of several key men for the project to become a reality.
“Air Vice Marshal Murali Sundaram, Ashish Poddar of Sun Vision Technologies, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ OSD Kaustubh Dhavse have been helping me out in ensuring that my dream is translated into reality,” says Yadav.
According to him, he also got a lot of help from an IIT Bombay professor of aeronautical engineering and a senior Hindustan Aeronautics’ official. However, both refused to be named in the story as they could not speak without government’s permission.
Air Vice Marshal Sundaram said, “I met him (Amol Yadav) in 2007, he was my co-pilot. He kept talking about how he was going to build an aircraft. At that time, I thought this was one of those young guys talking. However, he surprised me two years back when he showed me the aircraft.”
While Sundaram credits Yadav ‘entirely’ for building the aircraft, the latter compliments the retired Air Vice Marshal for the project. “He has taught me a lot, he has made me understand the aviation business, guided me about regulatory approvals and the process. He has taught me the intricacies of the aviation sector,” said Yadav.
Unlike Sundaram, Ashish Poddar of Sun Vision Technologies said that he was not surprised that Yadav would build a plane when Yadav met him in 2012. “When he approached me in 2012.
I realized that we had gone to the same school. There was no doubt at all in my mind because when he spoke, he made sense. He was an engineer before he became a pilot. So, we worked together on the aircraft, designed its gearbox and many other things,” said Poddar.
Yadav also credits Kaustubh Dhavse, OSD to Fadnavis, for helping him with the project. “Dhavse has played a big role in encouraging us and pushing us for the project, even the Chief Minister played a big role in ensuring that we got all the clearances.”
About the company
Thrust Aircraft Private Limited is a unique venture promoted by a SelfMotivated Entrepreneur Capt. Amol Shivaji Yadav. Capt. Amol a Deputy Chief Pilot by profession, has been working on building indigenous aircraft for past 17 years.
At the age of 19 Capt. Amol flew to the US in 1995 for the Commercial Pilot training. He underwent rigorous training and brainstorming sessions required for becoming a successful Pilot. This has developed a confidence in Capt. Amol that he himself can manufacture customized aircraft. He returned to India with lots of hopes and aspirations.
Destiny had some brighter plans for Capt. Amol which nobody knew. After returning to India, he utilized his training and knowledge to transform his ideal aircraft dream. Capt. Amol's father Mr. Shivaji. S. Yadav stood like a lighthouse when Capt. Amol told him about making an aircraft. His family and friends stood by him through the thick and thin.
In 1998 Capt. Amol started with an extraordinary dream. He wanted to convert the flight of an eagle into a reality. His ambition took wings and single-handedly he made 2 seater aircraft. But the aircraft stayed grounded due to technical reasons.
This propelled Capt. Amol further. In 1999 he took care of all the technical details. By 2003 he completed his 2 Aircraft, but couldn't launch due to regulations. However, his passion for Aircraft did not allow him to stop. Finally, in 2010, the conception of a new Aircraft TAC 003 took roots.
By 2016 a sleek 6 Seater came into existence due to Capt. Amol's firm determination and perseverance. Working with Jet airways gave him the expertise regarding the selection of high-quality raw material, Aviation quality norms, Regulations, and Avionics. The blessings and strong support of his family, friends, and well-wishers inspired Capt. Amol to reach new heights. A full proof, technically sound, Six Seater aircraft boomed its way at the MAKE IN INDIA Exhibition. It got an overwhelming response.
Capt. Amol eagerly awaits for the clearance of all the registration and airworthiness norms. He is set for the establishment of his first Indian Aircraft Manufacturing Company.
Thrust Aircraft Private Limited is the FIRST Company in India to propose manufacturing of Aircraft, Airplanes as the main goal of a company. Thrust Aircraft Private Limited have built a first ever MADE IN INDIA Aircraft which is an experimental type. The company has ensured that all the said norms in the DGCA policy and AAI directed sections/schedules have been followed while manufacturing this Aircraft.