Amol Yadav, a 40-year-old pilot has taken the definition of Make-in-India to another level altogether by collaborating with the government for a series of 20-seater planes, a first of its kind!

It took the deputy chief pilot of Jet Airways almost six years to procure the apt material required to build his own six-seater plane- TAC-003, which he assembled by himself on his house’s rooftop. The plane is not only capable of reaching the height of 13,000 feet at 1500 feet per hour but can also cover a distance of 2000 km at a top speed of 185 nautical miles per hour. It is built to carry a weight of about 1450 kgs and can seat upto five people.

This plane is not however the pilot’s first project, it is in fact his third! Inspired by American aircraft enthusiasts who bought old planes and customised them, Amol Yadav built his first plane- a two seater in 1998 but after failing to test fly it, he built another one in 2003, which too couldn’t take off due to regulations.

For his third effort, Yadav created a company called Thrust Aircraft Company and his expertise in the industry helped him get the best technical advice and raw materials required for the project. He was supported by Air Marshal – Murali Sundaram and a whole panel of IIT-B professors.

Not only was he immensely successful this time around but in fact, his plane TAC-003 was one of the star attractions during the ‘Make in India’ Week that was held in February earlier this year. The Maharashtra state government is in fact planning to take Yadav’s talent one step further by accepting his proposal of manufacturing aircrafts in the country.

Devendra Fadnavis, Chief minister of the state has not only promised to allot Yadav 46-acres of land in Palghar for the construction of the 20-seater commercial planes but the government is also trying to help him get his start-up capital by talking to a few banks. Yadav is in talks with aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney to supply engines for his aircraft. The first two prototypes are expected to roll out by the end of next year.

The 20-seaters are expected to cost significantly less in comparison to the aircrafts imported from abroad which in turn, will definitely revolutionise air travel in the country.