INDUSTRI PESAWAT Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) is signalling renewed interest in assembling the new Bell 430 helicopter in Indonesia.
The Indonesian manufacturer originally signed an agreement with Bell Helicopter Textron in December 1994 to either assemble or re-assemble the 430 for sale to the local civil market. There has been little progress since.
Fresh interest in the helicopter has been prompted by its anticipated imminent airworthiness certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration, and the forthcoming Indonesia air show in June.
Bell is planning to exhibit the twin Allison 250-C40-powered helicopter at the show in Jakarta, as part of a sales-tour demonstration of the Asia-Pacific region. IPTN is thought to want to finalise its re-assembly tie-up by the show.
Under the helicopter's FAA certification, Indonesian work on the 430 would be restricted to re-assembly or kit assembly, in-country configuration modifications and test flying.o
General aviation has been slow to develop in Indonesia because of its ban on twin-blade single-engine machines, but it is in need of a new helicopters to replace its 23 early-build Bell 206s.
Source: Flight International
