Deepinder Goyal, the founder of Zomato, has revealed a significant, albeit crash-landed, milestone for his backed aviation startup, LAT Aerospace. The company successfully demonstrated the ultra-short take-off (uSTOL) capability of its prototype aircraft, Lat One v0.1, in a recent test flight.
The Test Flight: Success in Take-off, Crash as Expected
In a detailed post on the social media platform X, Goyal shared a video of the prototype aircraft achieving its uSTOL objective. This technology is crucial for enabling aircraft to operate from very short runways, potentially revolutionizing regional connectivity.
The flight, however, ended in a crash shortly after the successful take-off. Goyal was quick to clarify that this outcome was anticipated. He stated that structural defects, which had already been flagged by their simulations, were the cause. The primary goal of this specific test was to validate the uSTOL capability, which was accomplished.
"uSTOL achieved. Achievement unlocked," Goyal wrote. "The plane crashed a bit later, which we knew was going to happen... However, the main objective of the test flight was to test uSTOL, which was successfully demonstrated."
Learning from the Crash and the Road Ahead
Goyal framed the incident as a valuable learning step in the iterative process of aerospace engineering. He emphasized that while achieving take-off is a challenge, ensuring a safe landing constitutes the bulk of the work. The team is already progressing with the next iteration.
The startup is now building Lat One v0.2, with the hope that this version will be able to complete a full mission. "We learnt so much from this entire experience. We will come out better and stronger from this," Goyal added, highlighting the startup's resilient, test-and-learn philosophy.
Goyal's Vision for 'Made in India' Aviation
This development aligns with Goyal's previously stated vision for LAT Aerospace. In a call for engineers last year, he predicted multiple crashes before achieving the final goal. The startup is distinct from Eternal, Zomato's parent company, and is focused on transforming regional air travel into a faster and more affordable option.
The core of LAT Aerospace's ambition lies in indigenous development. The company has set up a propulsion research team in Bangalore dedicated to a singular mission: building lightweight, efficient, and flight-ready gas turbine engines from scratch in India.
Goyal's approach grants engineers significant freedom and ownership. The research centre, equipped with specialized labs, is designed for rapid iteration. The team is led by engineers, minimizing bureaucratic delays and focusing on hands-on problem-solving, bench tests, and hardware development.
"It won't be easy. But if it works, it changes everything," Goyal had stated, envisioning a future with a locally built full engine stack powering STOL aircraft, UAVs, and contributing to national self-reliance in a critical technology domain.
