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PT DI accelerates N-219 aircraft toward commercial production in 2020
PT Dirgantara Indonesia is accelerating flight testing of its N-219 twin-engine aircraft for certification, aiming to commence mass production in 2020.
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Nation's pride: The twin-engine N-219 aircraft, built jointly by state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) and the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), takes off on its first test flight on Aug.16, 2017. (JP/Arya Dipa)
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tate-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) will begin commercial production of its N-219 aircraft next year to meet the growing demand for small airplanes both at home and overseas.
N-219 program manager Palmana Banandhi at PT DI said that the that the N-219’s 19-seater transport aircraft was expected to enter the market in 2020 at the initial price of US$6 million per aircraft.
The N-219 aircraft was expected to fulfill 25 percent of the global demand for 532 aircraft over the next 11 years.
The company plans to produce four N-219 aircraft during its first year of commercial production, eight aircraft in the second year and 12 aircraft in the third year. The annual production output would increase to 24 aircraft in the fourth year and 36 aircraft in the fifth year.
A number of domestic and foreign institutions have expressed their interest in purchasing N-219 aircraft, including the provincial governments of Aceh, North Kalimantan and Papua.
PT DI has increased the number of test flights for two of its N-219 prototypes in Bandung, West Java, in an effort to accelerate the process of obtaining aircraft type certification from the Transportation Ministry.
The first prototype is being used to assess flight and structural performance, while the second prototype is being used to check the aircraft's electronic systems. PT DI expects to complete all aircraft type certification requirements this year.
