By using two prototypes as a means of flight test certification, the flight test can be optimized since it does not merely rely on one aircraft. This will enable us to obtain a certification at the end of 2020.
Bandung, W Java (ANTARA) - State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has used two plane prototypes to fast-track the certification of its N219 aircraft’s flight test, and both have their specific mission.

"By using two prototypes as a means of flight test certification, the flight test can be optimized since it does not merely rely on one aircraft. This will enable us to obtain a certification at the end of 2020," Chief of PTDI's N219 Program Palmana Banandhi stated here on Tuesday,

The aircraft is manufactured in cooperation with the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan).

The N219 aircraft undertook its first flight test on August 16, 2017. President Joko Widodo named the aircraft as Nurtanio on November 10, 2017, to coincide with the commemoration of National Heroes Day. Currently, the aircraft is being subject to a series of tests for a flight certificate.

Certification is an indispensable process to ensure flight security and safety.

Banandhi affirmed that the first prototype of N219 Nurtanio had undergone a series of tests, ranging from aircraft performance test and characteristics of stability, to flight test of the plane structure.

The second prototype of N219 Nurtanio is used to test the aircraft’s sub-systems, such as the avionic system, electrical system, flight control, and propulsion.

"Type certificate is the certification of airworthiness of the plane’s manufacture design," he stated.

The certificate is issued by the civil airworthiness authority. In Indonesia, it is the Directorate of Airworthiness and Plane Operations of the Transportation Ministry.

Banandhi explained that the first prototype of N219 Nurtanio (Prototype Design 1) had undergone 231 flight cycles for 256 flight hours, while the second prototype of N219 Nurtanio (Prototype Design 2) has undergone 139 flight cycles for 170 flight hours.

Director of Airworthiness and Plane Operations of the Transportation Ministry Dadun Kohar stated that the certification of N219 aircraft encompassed the technical document check, ground test, and conformity process. The conformity process is deemed necessary to ensure that design of the aircraft is the same as its construction.

The technical document check is based on the Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 23 concerning the fulfilment of design requirements by PTDI for the 19-seater aircraft, he stated.

PTDI President Director Elfien Goentoro said the N219 plane is specifically designed to support the Air Bridge Program in accordance with Presidential Regulation No. 70 of 2017 on public service obligation for cargo transport from and to the backward, isolated, outlying, and border areas.

N219 will be able to reach hilly areas with a short runway, he stated.

In the first stage, PTDI will produce four N219 aircraft and later upgrade its production facilities with an automated system at its manufacturing unit to boost its production to cater to the market requirements.
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