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Indonesian aerospace company introduces new homegrown aircraft
A N219 aircraft designed by PT Dirgantara Indonesia at an assembly facility
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span class="inline inline-center">A N219 aircraft designed by PT Dirgantara Indonesia at an assembly facility. The aircraft is considered to be a suitable vehicle for President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to use to travel around Indonesia. (Kompas.com/Reska K. Nistanto)
State-owned aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has introduced the new N219, an aircraft entirely designed by local engineers and suitable for travel around the archipelago.
International Civil Aviation Association (ICAO) special envoy Indroyono Soesilo said he was proud to present the work of local engineers and their contribution to the world of aviation technology.
'The 19-seat N219 is the final contribution of Indonesian aerospace engineers from PTDI's 1970s and 1980s generation. Its system integrity, navigation systems and all its technology are all original Indonesian made,' Indroyono said as quoted by Kompas.com.
He said that he hoped this would inspire a new generation of engineers in the nation and continue the process of knowledge transfer from experienced PTDI engineers to the new generation.
Former employees of PTDI who had moved on to work at leading aviation companies such as Boeing, Bombardier, Bell or ATR should pass on their experiences and skills to young aspiring engineers, Indroyono continued.
These former employees had spread across the globe creating a diaspora of Indonesian aviation technology specialists, he added.
'If it is not taught to the young, the ability of Indonesians to design airplanes will eventually cease," said Indroyono. (liz/dan)(+)
