Kiran HJT 16

Kiran HJT 16

Parameters/Features	Details/Information
Aircraft	Kiran HJT 16
Manufacturer	Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Operational Speed	432 MPH
Service Ceiling	30,000FT

The HAL HJT-16 Kiran (Ray of Light) is an Indian two-seat basic jet trainer built by Hindustan Aeronautics. Used by the Indian Air Forcefor intermediate training for pilots trained on the HPT-32 Deepak. It is used by the Indian Air Force aerobatic team Surya Kiran and Indian naval aerobatic team Sagar Pawans.

The Kiran was designed to meet an Indian air force requirement for a basic jet trainer. The first aircraft powered by the Rolls Royce ViperMk 11 was flown for the first time on 4 September 1964.^[1] The production aircraft was designated the Kiran I, and first deliveries from a pre-production batch were delivered to the Indian Air Force in March 1968. Later production aircraft were fitted with hardpoints under each wing for weapon training (as the Kiran IA. A total of 190 Mk I and 1A aircraft were built.^[1] An improved version powered by a 4,200 lbf (19,000 N) thrust Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine and improved weapon-carrying capability was designated the Kiran II, first flying on 30 July 1976,^[2] and was delivered from 1985, 61 being delivered by the time production ended in 1989.^[3] During this period there was a pilot killed during landing - the investigation found that the plane was fitted with 'expired' wheels from Dunlop; the shelf life for them was 20 years, and to no surprise they burst on landing claiming the life of the test pilot.