"This year, we will finalise the design. In 2013, we will build the aircraft prototype. And in 2014, we expect to mass-produce the plane," Research and Technology Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Research and Technology Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta has stated that Indonesia will produce N-219 transport aircraft in 2014.
"This year, we will finalise the design. In 2013, we will build the aircraft prototype. And in 2014, we expect to mass-produce the plane," he said at a workshop conducted by National Aviation and Space Committee (Depanri) in Jakarta on Thursday.
The double-propeller plane, with a passenger capacity of 19, will only require a 500-metre-long runway to take off. Therefore, it is expected to provide services to mountainous and remote areas.
"The Research and Technology Ministry has set aside Rp310 billion for the development of the prototype," Gusti noted.
"We need to develop our air transportation sector in order to have quick access to remote areas, so we can support the development of other sectors there as well," he explained.
Several institutions, such as Aviation and Space Institution (LAPAN), Dirgantara Indonesia (PT. DI) and the Agency for The Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), will be involved in the development of the aircraft.
LAPAN chief Bambang S. Tejasukmana said Indonesia would produce four prototypes of the aircraft next year in order to conduct flight and airframe tests.
"Almost 70 percent of Indonesian airports have runways that are less than 800 metres long," Bambang noted.
He said at least 50 units of N-219 aircraft have been ordered by several airline companies.
However, Bambang confirmed that his company would certify the aircraft before they were sold to other parties.
"The aircraft will be priced lower than similar aircraft produced in other countries," he pointed out.
Bambang said Depanri had set itself a target to produce N-245 aircraft in 2016 and N-270 aircraft in 2017. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
