TANZANIA has started to build its own helicopters in a project that will see the first batch of such choppers taking into the sky sometimes in 2018.
Already, the prototype model, a
two-seater aircraft is in its final stages of completion at the
Mechanical and Engineering Department of the Arusha Technical College,
which runs a fully-fledged factory producing various forms of machinery,
including a prototype motor vehicle and a number of industrial engines.
But it is the Tanzanian-made new
helicopter that seems to be turning heads here; “We are complementing
President Magufuli’s industrialisation policy in pioneering the first
locally made helicopters that will be available to ordinary residents at
affordable prices,” explained the man behind the ATC chopper project,
Engineer Abdi Mjema.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry
of Education, Science and Technology, Ms Maimuna Tarishi, who also
toured the project over the weekend seemed surprised at the development
and wanted to know when exactly the chopper will hit the skies.
“We are contacting the Tanzania Civil
Aviation Authority (TCAA) for the permission to fly the chopper for
trials,” said Engineer Mjema.
He assured the PS that the future of the
‘affordable,’ chopper -- to ease the country’s transport woes -- is
approaching. “The Tanzania-made helicopters will fly before 2020 -- and
specifically 2018, which is two years from now,” he added.
The idea was hatched two months ago by
two engineers at the Arusha Technical College; Engineer Adisai Msongole,
now serving as the ATC Bursar, and Engineer Abdi Mjema. The chassis as
well as airframe for the pioneer chopper is ready -- complete with a
mounted flat engine.
“We had initially intended the
two-seater helicopter to be used for surveillance, rescue and
agricultural purposes. However, as the project takes shape, we may
increase the airframes to carry more people for serious transportation,”
said the engineer.
The helicopter is currently 50 per cent
complete and features the popular gasolinepowered VW flat engine on
board. The motors, manufactured by Volkswagen in Germany, are the same
used to make the ‘Robinson’ helicopters in the United States. “Once we
get the aviation authority approval, we shall complete the most
sensitive part of the helicopter -- mounting the main rotor.
This should be ready in threeweek’s
time,” said Eng Mjema, adding that Arusha will set history as the first
region to fly the first-ever Tanzanian manufactured helicopter in July
2016. With a non-pressurised cabin, the Prototype ATC helicopter has a
flying ceiling of 400 feet for starters, taking into consideration that
Arusha is already at a higher altitude.
But the flying height is set to increase
with more complete and accomplished models. Most commercial choppers
can fly up to 8,000 feet above sea level. On how many choppers the
college can manufacture in a year once the project gets a nod from
higher authorities, Eng Mjema said that depended on demand.
“But with serious work we can roll out up to 20 such helicopters in a year,” boasted the engineer.
The Rector of Arusha Technical College,
Dr Richard Masika, had previously stated that, ATC was moving from being
an ordinary college of technical, engineering and technological
training towards becoming a fully-fledged factory, which will deal in
vehicle and heavy machinery repair and manufacturing.
Next August ATC will be completing the
first phase of Kikuletwa Hydropower Station Project and training centre
setup, through which the college is going to churn electricity and hold
training at the site based in Kilimanjaro Region.
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