The first prototype of India's indigenous civilian aircraft, Saras, had a successful maiden flight in Bangalore early on Saturday.

"It was a good flight," B R Pai, Director, National Aerospace Laboratories, which has designed and developed the aircraft, told PTI.

The aircraft took off from the HAL airport and flew for about 30 minutes.

Saras was scheduled to make its maiden flight on Friday but it was put off by a day.

The Bangalore-based NAL has designed and developed the 14-seater multi-role aircraft for use as an executive jet and
for courier, reconnaissance and commuter roles.

The twin turbo-prop aircraft was flown by Sq Ldr K K Venugopal.

The prototype, powered by two American Pratt and Whitney engines, weighs 5,118 kg, about 900 kg heavier than its
desired empty weight of 4,125 kg, and is equipped with five seats, including one for the pilot and an observer.

Two prototypes of Saras have to be flown for a total of 500 hours before it receives the Directorate General of Civil Aviation certification.

The Rs 150 crore Saras project named after the Indian crane, began in 1991 but was stalled due to denial of critical components following US sanctions imposed in the wake of the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998.

Photograph: B K Ramesh