The quest for innovative solutions to real-world problems has led many start-ups in Tiruchi and Thanjavur to focus on the aerospace sector in recent years, whether in the field of affordable private aviation or drone-based deliveries for critical medical and Defence operations.

The Thanjavur-Tiruchi section forms a critical industrial band within the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor, and as such many start-ups are working on projects that cater to defence operations.

The presence of educational institutions in the Tiruchi and Thanjavur districts presents a potential for growth through student-driven start-ups.

“We are considering applications from approximately 10 start-ups for onboarding this year. The facilities on our campus will allow more start-ups to make an impact in the aerospace sector, especially in drone technology. Drone training and pilot training are also on the cards in the coming financial year,” Susil Kumar, chief executive officer, Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Innovation, at the National Institute of Technology-Tiruchi, told The Hindu.

Recently, Thanjavur-based Pullinam Aerospace Technologies signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Coimbatore’s Skyworks Aviation to supply 100 PATLSA01, its indigenously manufactured Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) two-seat aircraft. It is under development in both electric and internal combustion engine versions.

“Every state in India possesses a vast, underutilised network of secondary airstrips,” C. S. Karunakaran, founder and CEO, Pullinam Aerospace said. “By transforming these unused assets into active connectivity hubs, we can unlock a network for light aircraft ranging from two to six seats.”

With the demand for commercial pilots booming, Pullinam is looking to supply flight training organisations with cost-effective, indigenously built training aircraft. It has signed an LoI with Combat Army Aviation Training School in Nashik for pilot training, surveillance and leisure flying.

Co-founder and chief operating officer S.B. Shiva Prasaath highlighted the utility of personal flights during peak festival seasons when major arterial roads face severe gridlock. “Utilising peripheral airstrips on city outskirts will allow travellers to bypass ground traffic and cover long distances in a fraction of the time, operating entirely within existing aviation regulations,” he said.

Expediting medical assistance, logistics and Defence operations through fixed wing drones are among the core areas being explored by Yali Aerospace based in Pillaiyarpatti, Thanjavur, which secured funding from Zoho Corporation in 2024.

“We want to reduce the time for people to access medical assistance in rural areas, by developing first response drone delivery systems that can reach any place within 20 minutes. Among the other projects in the pipeline are a network of autonomous docking stations for drones, and self-destructing ‘kamikaze’ drones suitable for Defence operations,” said Dinesh Baluraj, founder, Yali Aerospace.