Hero Motors, India´s largest manufacturer of motorcycles, plans to move into the production of light aircraft as part of a joint venture with an unidentified German company.

Its subsidiary Hero Aviation is spearheading the move into the aerospace business, and it hopes to set up the facility at the company´s proposed 120Ha (300 acre) aerospace park in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

"Hero Motors recently formed its new venture Hero Aviation with a vision to diversify the company´s product portfolio. Very soon, the company will be joining hands with a world leader in light sport aircraft to set up a complete manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul facility," says Hero Motors.

A formal announcement is imminent, and the company could begin work on the facility in the first half of 2009 if the government gives it permission to set up a special economic zone in Madhya Pradesh. India has been encouraging its companies to set up these zones, which enjoy tax breaks and other incentives, to boost the country´s manufacturing base. If the project takes off, it will be India´s first production facility for light aircraft. The country´s general aviation industry has grown steadily over the past few years, with a boom in its air transport market leading to more Indians wanting to become commercial pilots or acquire a private pilot´s licence.

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