Janes reported that PTDI (Dirgantara Indonesia, Indonesian Aerospace) and Turkish company Hava Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS (HAVELSAN) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to proceed with the joint development of a simulator for Indonesian Aerospace N-219 Nurtanio short take-off and landing (STOL) multirole aircraft. The MOU was signed on 21 September at the PTDI booth during the Teknofest 2021 international exhibition held in Istanbul between 21 and 26 September. The agreement also includes avionic and system modelling, flight and engine modelling, and computer system and interface development.
The N-219 is twin-engine, 19-seater transport aircraft designed for multi-purpose missions in remote areas. Priced at $5.8-6 million, slightly lower than the Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter, the 190 kn (350 km/h) cruise aircraft is intended for cargo and passenger transport, troop transport, military surveillance, search and rescue, and medevac operations, with a possible amphibian version later. It is intended to operate in and out of remote, semi-prepared airstrips; suitable to conditions in Indonesia’s archipelago.
PTDI in collaboration with the Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), formally received type certification in late December 2020 from the Indonesian Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operation, part of the Ministry of Transportation. The Aceh province most recently showed interest in the programme, placing in December 2019 an LOI to order four examples. Domestic airline Aviastar Mandiri has by far shown the greatest support for the programme, placing in October 2018 an LOI for 20 orders. Other LOIs – for eight orders by national private charterer Air Born and 10 orders and options for five by for Jakarta-based Trigana Air – also date back to April 2015.
It was developed from the CASA C-212 Aviocar and, like that design, is also of all metal construction. It is claimed that it will have the largest cabin volume in its class (6.50 x 1.82 x 1.70m). A flexible door system to allow a multi-purpose missions for transporting passengers and cargo. The aircraft is designed to comply with FAR 23 (commuter category aircraft). Sixty percent of the materials are domestically produced and local suppliers produce landing gear parts, rubber components and tooling.
