The Sikorsky helicopter was purchased in December 2011 and had completed just around 1,300 hours of flying....
The Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopter carrying Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, which crash-landed on Thursday at Latur, was purchased in December 2011 and had completed just around 1,300 flying hours in operation.
Officials from the state government's Directorate of Aviation said the helicopter was purchased in December 2011 at a cost of around Rs 55 crore. The state government is now left with just one operational fixed-wing aircraft in service, namely, a Cessna Citation 560 XLS bought in 2008. Two more planes, a Beechcraft Super King Air 350 fixed-wing aircraft and Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin helicopter are not in use.
These aircrafts are used by VIPs like the Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and the Chief Minister for their tours.
"Considering the shortage of aircraft and the substantial financial burden and need for technical knowhow to repair and maintain the two grounded planes and make them operational, we have already appointed two private agencies to provide us fixed-wing aircrafts and helicopters on hire when the demand is raised," said an official from the state's aviation department. These agencies have a list of 22 planes and eight helicopters, including two air ambulances. which can be hired based on the need and seating capacity.
"The Sikorsky helicopter was purchased in December 2011 and had completed just around 1,300 hours of flying, which is miniscule compared to the 35 years of its flying life," said a senior official from the Directorate of Aviation. He added that of late, the utilisation of these platforms had increased.
The official said they had tried to refurbish the Beechcraft Super King Air 350 aircraft last year, but had not received any response from bidders. The aircraft has a 2+9 seating capacity and completed 2,200 flying hours for around 11 years after which its use declined since the Cessna Citation 560 XLS was bought in 2008.
Attempts in the past to auction the aircraft have failed with bids worth just Rs 5 crore being received as against the reserve price of Rs 8 crore. The other helicopter, the Eurocopter Dauphin, has also been grounded.
"The cabinet will have to consider what has to be done with the two grounded aircrafts and if they can be used after refurbishment. Else, we may have to purchase new crafts," said an official from the state aviation department.
Fixed wing aircrafts:
Cessna Citation 560 XLS- was bought in 2008 for Rs 67 crore, in use, can seat eight
Beechcraft Super King Air 350- Purchased in July 1998 at Rs 17.24 crore- grounded without use since July 2011
Helicopters:
Sikorsky S-76C++- bought in December 2011 for Rs 55 crore
Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin- Purchased in 2001 for Rs 23 crore
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 "Web Exclusive, Devendra Fadnavis, Maharshtra, Chief Minister, Latur, Directorate of Aviation, Beechcraft Super King Air 350, Gov")
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