Iran’s New Training Plane Displayed (+Photos)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A new single-cabin aircraft, made by Iran for training purposes, was put on display in a recent aviation exhibition.
The 7th International Exhibition of Aviation Industry, held on Iran’s southern island of Kish in November, saw a new training plane, dubbed K10.
The light aircraft has been manufactured by Iran’s Plane Manufacturing Company (HESA) in two different classes, K10 and K10-1.
With the flight ceiling of 14,000 feet, the plane can be employed for both training purposes and recreational use.
The plane is run with an Austrian-made Rotax engine producing 100 horsepower. Equipped with emergency parachute, K10 is a single-cabin aircraft that can accommodate a co-pilot as well.
Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan had already stressed the need for a home-made aircraft for training purposes in the air force units.
He had also noted that the new aircraft, designed and manufactured indigenously, flies at hypersonic speeds and could also be employed as a logistic plane.
In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.
Azarakhsh (lightning) is Iran's first domestically-manufactured combat jet.
Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) fighter jet is a follow-up aircraft, derived from Azarakhsh. Iran unveiled its first squadron of Saeqeh fighter-bombers in an air show in 2010.
