The NM5 or C-NM5 is a multi-role, multi-mission aircraft being jointly developed by National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and Mahindra Aerospace. It is a 5-seater civil aircraft and an extension of the Hansa project. The NM5 has been entirely designed and developed by NAL and Mahindra Aerospace on a 50:50 partnership basis. The NM5 can be used as a trainer, for transporting cargo, medical evacuation, tourism, VIP travel and for training pilots.

 

This new 4/5 passenger General Aviation aircraft programme was launched as a part of the 10th FYP network programme. Following the successful certification of HANSA-3, NAL proposed the development of a 5-seater general aviation aircraft to be carried out during the 10th plan. However the proposal was approved only in May 2005 and thus spilled over into the 11th plan also. Work on preliminary design of the aircraft commenced in October 2006.

 

NAL signed an MoU with M/s Mahindra Plexion Pvt Ltd (MP) to jointly develop the 5 seater general aviation aircraft, NM5 and to undertake its production and marketing. This represents the one of the recent public-private partnership programmes in aircraft design for NAL and in the civil aviation sector in India.

 

At the Indian Civil Aviation Airshow (2008) held at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad between 15–18 October 2008, the 5 seat NM5 aircraft (general aviation aircraft) attracted a lot of interest in business visitors and the general public. The NM5 was exhibited during Aero India for people to see. The NM5 and the Saras models were the biggest attractions in seventh edition in the 160 square metre Indian stall at the Aero India was held from February 11–15, 2009.

 

 

The engine, propeller and certified seats of the aircraft have been imported as the raw material like aluminium alloy sheets and hardware such as, nuts, bolts, washers and rivets. Prototypes of NM-5 are ready and the certification will take a year. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is expected to certify the aircraft by December next year. The first prototype of the 5-seater civil aircraft made its maiden flight on 1st sept 2011 at GippsAero's flight testing facilities near Melbourne, Australia.

 

 

An NM-5 was expected to be priced around $400,000; between Rs 1.2 crore and Rs 1.4 crore.

 

NM5-100

Engine: Lycoming IO-540, 300 hp at 2700 rpm

Prop: 3 blade CS

Wingspan: 10.9 m / 35 ft 8 in

Wing area: 16.0 sq,m / 172 sq.ft

Length: 8.8 m / 28 ft 9 in

Height: 3.1 m / 10 ft 2 in

MTOW: 1525 kg / 3362 lb

Empty weight: 945 kg / 2083 lb

Useful load: 580 kh / 1280 lb

TO dist: 500 m / 1640 ft

Landing dist: 450 m / 1476 ft

Max level speed: 296 kph / 160 kt

Max ROC: 335 m/min / 1100 fpm

Stall flaps up: 110 kph / 60 kt

Stall flaps down: 96 kph / 52 kt

Range w/320 kg load: 1295 km / 700 nm

Cruise alt: 3050 m / 10,000 ft

Electrics: 24 v

Generator: 26 v / 70 A