Minister Observes N219 Aircraft Certification Progress

Bandung, W.Java (Antara Bali) - Minister of Research Technology and Higher Education, Mohamad Nasir, has observed  the progress of N219 certification for static test wing at the Indonesian Aerospace Industry's base in Bandung, West Java.

"I want to know the development of N219. The appreciation must be given to PTDI, Lapan (the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space), the Ministry of Transportation as the certification is carried out by our own experts," Nasir said here on Monday.

Hopefully, the end of April 2017, N219 prototype can fly premiere, Nasir said.

Meanwhile, PTDI's President Director Budi Santoso said the plane is developed by PTDI and Lapan.

At present, the wing static test is conducted with a load limit of 100 percent to ultimate level, or breaking down the wing, to see the maximum power that can be retained by the airplane wings.

"Many technical obstacles encountered but this is reasonable in the development of new aircraft," he said.

In order to conduct those tests PTDI has built several laboratories, including avionics laboratory, electrical power system laboratory, hydraulic laboratory and N219 flight simulator.

"In addition to avionic test, the laboratories are able to test other avionics technology. We hope that the certification process runs smoothly and N219 will be the  PTDI's first  step to enter commercial market in 2018," he said.

Before the wing static test, various tests have been carried out, including electrical grounding bonding test, leak test and cleaning test for leakage in fuel tank,  landing gear drop test and electrical power test.

Basic airframe process and basic system installation for N219 prototype are still running.

Lapan's head Thomas Jamaluddin said the development of N219 has entered the final stage and is expected to fly in mid-2017.

"This is an important step for Indonesian aviation industry, and is in line with the spirit of Lapan to build Indonesia's airplane," he said.

Thomas hoped after N219, PTDI and LAPAN can produce N245 and N270.

Aircraft N219 is a passenger aircraft with a capacity of 19 seats with two turboprop engines, referring the regulation of CASR Part 23. The idea and design of the aircraft are developed by PTDI and the development program is conducted jointly with LAPAN.