Science centre to display plane

TT, 9 January 2019, Siliguri: The North Bengal Science Centre will get an old HPT 32 Deepak (lamp in Sanskrit) aircraft from the Indian Air Force by March for display so that students and visitors could be educated about the basics of aeronautical science.

Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, it is an Indian prop-driven primary trainer aircraft that can accommodate two persons, including the pilot.

Sources at the NBSC, located at Matigara near Siliguri, said the IAF had decided not to fly its trainee pilots any more on the HPT 32 Deepak. That is why one such old aircraft would be sent to Siliguri from Tambaram in Tamil Nadu and it would be placed at the centre for display.

"We will display the plane at the science park beside the innovation hub of our centre. Such an aircraft is already on display at the Raman Science Centre in Nagpur. We receive visitors from all over north Bengal and the average footfall last year was around 3.39 lakh," said Ritabrata Biswas, the project coordinator of the NBSC.

"The aircraft would be an add-on attraction for visitors. Moreover, we will display information on basics of aeronautical science near the aircraft which can educate students and visitors in general," added Ritabrata.

An official of the NBSC said the plane would also portray the growth of science and technology and the advancement made in the field of aeronautical engineering in the country.