Indonesian Aerospace N-219

Model of Indonesian Aerospace N-219.

In 2003, after the IPTN N-250 program halt, Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) planned to develop a 19-seat aircraft to offset the IPTN NC-212 end of production.[1]

In early 2004, IAe was in discussions with Malaysian aerospace companies and was estimating the N219 development at $60–80 million to fly a prototype in April 2006 and certify it in August 2007.[2]

In 2006, the $65m funding for the 19 seat N-219 development was proposed under the Qatar-Indonesia Joint Investment Fund, 70% funded by Qatar and 30% by Indonesia, for a prototype within two years.[3]

By June 2011, its price was forecast to be US$4 million each and it was expected to fly in 2014.[4] The Indonesian Industry Minister requested Rp59 billion to build the prototype.[5][6]

In January 2012, the predicted development budget was about $30 million for 15 aircraft.[7]

In August 2014, the forecast price rose to $5 million.[8]

The first metal was cut in September 2014, before a planned roll-out in August 2015 and certification in 2016, before EASA certification with support from Airbus for export.[9] First deliveries were scheduled for 2017.

The roll-out was then scheduled in November 2015.[10]

In August 2016, Airbus was engaged to provide assistance with certification.[11]

The prototype entered testing after the November 2015 public introduction.[12] The first prototype construction was planned to be completed in mid-2016 for a maiden flight at the end of 2016, but this first flight was delayed to March 2017 for certification in the same year and production start in 2018.[13] In February, it was delayed again to April.[14]

After a series of high-speed taxiing runs on 11 August 2017 at Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung, the prototype took off on 16 August 2017 for a 26-minute flight.[15] At that time it was estimated that at least Rp 200 billion was needed to complete 200 hours of flight tests for certification from the Indonesian Transport Ministry.[16]

Production was forecast in 2019 to start with six aircraft, increasing to 16 in 2020 and 36 per year in a new $90–100 million facility raised through equity participation, private-public partnerships, manufacturing subsidiaries, and joint ventures.[17]

The Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a type certificate on 18 December 2020.[18]

The N-219 is twin-engine, 19-seater transport aircraft designed for multi-purpose missions in remote areas.[19] It is intended to operate in and out of remote, semi-prepared airstrips; suitable to conditions in Indonesia's archipelago.[20]

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).[9] 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).

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. Sixty percent of the materials are domestically produced and local suppliers produce landing gear parts, rubber components and tooling.[17]

In August 2013, Lion Air was to sign a memorandum of understanding for 100 $4.5-5 million N219s.[21] The total market for the N-219 was forecast as 97 civil and 57 military aircraft.

On 13 April 2015, three memoranda of understanding were signed: with Nusantara Buana Air for 20 aircraft and ten options, with Aviastar Mandiri for 20 aircraft and ten options and with Trigana Air Service for ten aircraft and five options.[22]

Indonesia has signed deals with China and Mexico to export N-219 to those countries.[23]

In 2017 southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Myanmar expressed interest in the aircraft.[16]

By October 2018, domestic airline Avistar signed a memorandum of understanding for 20 more while the N219 had 120 orders and was due to be certified in April or May 2019.[17]

Other customers include Lion Air, Trigana Air Service, Nusantara Buana Air, Pelita Air, Air Born and the government of Thailand.[17]

On 9 December 2019, the government of Aceh signed a cooperation agreement or memorandum of understanding for the procurement of N219 aircraft, crew training and the operation of Aceh's air transport swervice.[24]

On 8 December 2021, a memorandum of understanding was signed by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and PT Infoglobal Teknologi Semesta/Infoglobal to integrate maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA) mission systems into the N219. It will be based on a previous system that also installed on the Navy's IPTN NC-212 Maritime Patrol aircraft.[25]

On 3 November 2022, Indonesian company PT Karya Logistik Indotama (PT KLI) ordered 11 N-219s configured for passenger transport, for US$80.5M. The first aircraft are scheduled for delivery 28 months after the contract is signed.[26]

Data from Manufacturer[27]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 19 passengers
• Length: 16.49 m (54 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 19.5 m (64 ft 0 in)
• Height: 6.18 m (20 ft 3 in)
• Empty weight: 4,309 kg (9,500 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 7,030 kg (15,498 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 1,600 kg
• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42 turboprop engines, 630 kW (850 shp) each
• Propellers: 4-bladed Hartzell Propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 390 km/h (240 mph, 210 kn)
• Cruise speed: 310 km/h (200 mph, 170 kn) Economical
• Stall speed: 109 km/h (68 mph, 59 kn)
• Range: 890 km (550 mi, 480 nmi) with 19 pax
• Ferry range: 1,533 km (953 mi, 828 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 3,000 m (10,000 ft) operating altitude, max altitude 24,000 feet (7,315 m)
• Rate of climb: 9.85 m/s (1,938 ft/min)

Related development

• CASA C-212 Aviocar

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Cessna 408 SkyCourier
• Desaer ATL-100
• DHC-6-400 Twin Otter
• Dornier 228NG
• Harbin Y-12F
• LET L-410NG
• PZL M28 Skytruck

• Official website
• Bayu Galih (31 January 2015). "Research and Technology Minister: Thailand Already ordered N219 Made in Indonesia". Kompas. Retrieved 31 January 2015.