Electric Dreams Take Flight in India: Sarla Aviation Soars to New Heights

The Indian aerospace industry has taken a significant leap forward with the news that Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation has secured Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This milestone marks a major breakthrough for indigenous aerospace design capability in the country.

Sarla Aviation's journey to this achievement began with the founding of the company in October 2023 by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan. Backed by prominent investors such as Accel, Flipkart Co-Founder Binny Bansal, and Zerodha Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath, the company has made rapid progress in developing its electric air taxi technology.

One of the key factors contributing to Sarla Aviation's success has been its ability to partner with top Indian brands. The company has recently announced partnerships with Manipal Hospitals and Aeromed Air Ambulance, Prestige Group, Jio-bp, Jeppesen Foreflight, Hexel Composites, and Tata Elxsi. These partnerships not only provide Sarla Aviation with the necessary resources and expertise but also demonstrate the company's commitment to working with Indian businesses.

Sarla Aviation's indigenous electric air taxi technology has undergone extensive testing, with over 500 flight tests completed and 18 hours of flight testing achieved. The company's demonstrator programme has also showcased the capabilities of its technology, with guests touring 12 stations across the engineering floor to witness the development of indigenous motors and 800-volt powertrain architecture.

The Design Organisation Approval is a significant milestone for Sarla Aviation, as it enables the company to take its designs forward for type certification with the DGCA. This certification is a crucial step in the commercial production of Sarla Aviation's electric air taxis, and it marks a major achievement for the company.

Union Minister K Rammohan Naidu was present at the inauguration ceremony of Sarla Aviation's new headquarters in Bengaluru, where he handed over the Design Organisation Approval to the company's founders. In his speech, Naidu emphasized the importance of ensuring that electric air taxis are accessible to all segments of society, not just the urban metropolitan areas.

"We have to ensure these machines fly everywhere in the country," Naidu said. "At this speed, I believe that within two years we are going to see this (electric air taxi) ecosystem flourish in the country."

Sarla Aviation's new headquarters in Bengaluru brings its design, engineering, testing, and commercial teams under one roof, alongside a full-scale prototype of Shunya, India's first indigenous eVTOL of its class. The company's commitment to indigenous design and development is evident in its approach to creating an entirely self-sufficient supply chain, manufacturing, and IP ownership in India.

As Sarla Aviation continues to push the boundaries of electric air taxi technology, it is clear that the company is leading the charge in India's aerospace industry. With its Design Organisation Approval and partnerships with top Indian brands, Sarla Aviation is poised to revolutionize the way people travel in India.

"India deserves an aerospace company that builds fully indigenous systems to transport people," said Adrian Schmidt, Co-Founder of Sarla Aviation. "And with electric propulsion, we can finally indigenise the entire supply chain, the manufacturing, and the IP ownership, right here in India."

Sarla Aviation's electric air taxi technology is not just a novelty; it has the potential to transform the way people travel in India. With its focus on indigenous design and development, the company is creating a truly Indian aerospace industry that is capable of competing with the best in the world.

As Sarla Aviation looks to the future, it is clear that the company is committed to making a significant impact on India's aerospace industry. With its Design Organisation Approval and partnerships with top Indian brands, Sarla Aviation is well on its way to achieving its vision of creating a fully indigenous aerospace industry in India.

And with its new headquarters in Bengaluru, Sarla Aviation is ready to take its designs forward for type certification with the DGCA, marking a major milestone in the development of India's electric air taxi ecosystem.