Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) is developing a 19-seat twin-turboprop passenger aircraft that it hopes will replace the Twin Otter.
Officials from IAe were unable detail the company's progress in design and development, or put a date on the first flight. But, they say the N-219 could be configured for cargo services and will feature short take-off and landing capabilities, and be capable of operating from unprepared runways. It will be powered by two 850 SHP PT6A-61 engines.
The all-metal aircraft will require a take-off distance of 428m (1,400ft) and landing distance of 623m. It would have a maximum altitude of 10,000ft, maximum cruise speed of 213kt (394km/h), cruise speed of 190kt and stall speed of 61kt. It would have a maximum range of 2,920km (1,580nm), or 1,540km with a full load, maximum take-off weight of 7,030kg (15,500lb), operational empty weight of 4,286kg, useful load of 2,750kg, a design payload of 1,724kg and fuel capacity of 1,600kg.
Key dimensions include height of 6.18m, overall length of 16.49m and wingspan of 19.5m. In the cabin height will be 1.7m, width 1.82m and length of 6.4m. Baggage capacity will be 3.22 m3 (113ft3).
"The N-219 is a new generation of aircraft designed to be multi-mission and multi-capable on remote areas" suitable for operation on the mountainous terrain that features on many of Indonesia's islands, says IAe.
Indonesian Aerospace has tried, and failed, to design and develop passenger aircraft in the past. Most notably, it began work on the N-250 50- to 70-seat regional aircraft and N-2130 80- to 130-seat passenger aircraft in the early 1990s. However, it dropped both developments in 1997 following the Asian financial crisis.
The company, however, has successfully licence-produced several aircraft in recent years. These include the NC-212, a license-production of the CASA C-212, and the CN-235, a military transport aircraft. It is also a supplier for various international helicopter manufacturers, and is looking to assemble some of them at its Bandung facility.
Source: Flight International
