Nepalese Army Air Service

The Nepali Army Air Service is the army aviation branch of the Nepalese Armed Forces, also known as the Nepal Army Air Wing. Nepal has no separate air force but the Nepali Army operates several aircraft within the army aviation branch.

History

The Nepali Army Air Service was formed in the 1960s but became an air force unit in 1979. It is now again a part of the Army. It has limited air combat capabilities as only a few helicopters can be armed. The main objective of this flying element is transport, flying paratroopers and aid in case of an emergency. Apart from the 11th Brigade, the country has established a VIP Flight from Tribhuvan Airport, mostly the aircraft are stationed at Kathmandu, Surkhet, and Dipayal.
From 1996 to 2006, the country was gripped by a civil war against Communist Party of Nepal rebels who strove to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and establish a republic. Their attacks increased after the 2001 massacre of the royal family. This development led to the need for armed helicopters. Several types of aircraft have entered service since: MI-17s, M28 Skytruck, HAL Lancer and HAL Dhruv. The UK delivered two Britten-Norman Islanders and two MI-17s free of charge. China decided to supply an MA-60. Nepal also purchased HAL Cheetah and HAL Chetak helicopters.
In November 2014, India donated an HAL Dhruv as part of a strategic pact.
The NAAS consists of about 1000 members.

Army pilot training school

The Nepali Army Air Service has had its flying and helicopter pilots training school since 2004 within the No 11 Brigade and is the only helicopter pilot training school in Nepal. The school provides training using Mi-17, Bell and Ecureuil helicopters.
In 2019, Nepal Army purchased two Piper Archer DX training aircraft. In addition, the army is planning to start an airplane pilot training school within the army. This will be the first aviation school to offer training within Nepal. This is a significant step because Nepal Army officer cadets previously had to go to Bangladesh and India and Philippines for aviation courses. With the new training school, the Nepal Army can provide aviation training to officer cadets in the country itself. It is unclear whether the Nepal Army aviation school will be accessible to civilians in the near future.

Accidents and incidents

On 27 February 1970, a Nepalese Royal Flight de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter crashed while taking off at Jomsom Airport killing one passenger. Three passengers and one crew member survived but the plane was written off.
On 13 September 1972, a Royal Nepalese Air Force Douglas DC-3 crashed when it hit a high tension powerline during a flight in Panchkhal. All 31 occupants of the aircraft were killed.
On 30 December 1985, a Nepal Army Air Wing Short SC.7 Skyvan crashed in jungle near Dhangadi killing all 25 soldiers aboard.
On 10 July 1991, a Nepal Army Air Wing de Havilland Twin Otter en route from Surkhet to Jumla was destroyed, killing 3 people, when hit a hillside. Later analysis showed the altimeter had given an incorrect reading.
On 18 October 2011, a Nepal Army Air Wing Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander performing an ambulance flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu crashed near Dhorpatan, Baglung District and caught fire. None of the six occupants survived the accident.
On 30 May 2017, a Nepal Army Air Wing PZL M28 Skytruck crashed at Bajura Airport while the pilot was undertaking a forced landing due to bad weather. The cargo airplane was supposed to land at Simikot Airport in Humla District. However, bad weather condition forced the pilot to divert towards Bajura. The pilot died and two others were injured.