Raj Hamsa Ultralights

Raj Hamsa Ultralights
Company typeLimited Company
IndustryAerospace
FoundedPondicherry, India (1980 (1980))
FounderJoel Koechlin
HeadquartersBangalore,
India
Number of locations
Pondicherry, India
ProductsUltralight aircraft
Number of employees
30-35
ParentKoechlin family
Websitewww.x-air.in

Raj Hamsa Ultralights is an Indian private limited company and ultralight aircraft manufacturer, founded in 1980 at Pondicherry, India by Joel Koechlin (of the Koechlin family) of France. The company is one of India's largest aircraft manufacturers and is the only producer of commercial microlight aircraft. It started in 1980 producing hang gliders, introduced powered hang gliders in 1983 and the X-Air line of microlights in 1993. By 2007, the company had produced over 1,000 aircraft.[1][2]

The company's headquarters and sole manufacturing facility is located at Bangalore, India.[1][3] The company employs 30-35 people and produces about 100 aircraft kits annually.

The company's X-Air 'S' and 'F' models have been successful in the market and are exported widely.[4] The new Hawk model, known as Hanuman in India, is currently awaiting Indian and UK certification.[5] The ultralights manufactured by Raj Hamsa are some of the least expensive available in India and many parts of the world.[6]

The company is a factory agent for Jabiru Aircraft engines.[7]

  1. ^ a b Raj Hamsa Ultralights. "Raj Hamsa Company Profile". Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  2. ^ Jackson, Paul (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2002-2003, pages 183-184. Jane's Publishing Company, 2002. ISBN 0-7106-2423-9
    - Jackson, Paul (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003-2004, pages 190-191. Jane's Publishing Company, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5
    - Jackson, Paul (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2005-2006, pages 205-206. Jane's Publishing Company, 2005. ISBN 0-7106-2684-3
    - Jackson, Paul (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2006-2007, pages 239-240. Jane's Publishing Company, 2006. ISBN 0-7106-2745-9
    - Jackson, Paul (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2007-2008, pages 254-255. Jane's Publishing Company, 2007. ISBN 0-7106-2792-0
  3. ^ "Raj Hamsa X'Air". Aircraft World Directory. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  4. ^ Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-112. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  5. ^ "Raj Hamsa Hanuman". Aircraft World Directory. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  6. ^ Decker, Jeffrey (January 2008). "SEBRING - X-Air debuts special light sport aircraft". Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  7. ^ Jabiru Aircraft (November 2008). "Jabiru Agents". Retrieved 21 November 2008.