M. Nasir: 2017 is The Year of Aerospace Industry Revival

Jakarta, InfoPublik -  Research and Technology and Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir stated that state aircraft producer PT. Dirgantara Indonesia will conduct an N219 test flight at the end of April 2017 from Bandung to Serpong.

"If the test flight is a success, it means that 2017 will be the year of Indonesian aerospace industry revival,"  he stated after the soft launching of the 22nd National Technology Awakening Day (Hakteknas) 2017 at BPPT Building, on Tuesday (4/25).

N219 is an aircraft that is 100 percent made by Indonesian young engineers. "Hopefully, at the end of April or early May the plane will be able to fly premiere. If we have mass produced the plane, it can connect Indonesia’s small islands," he explained.

Besides the N219, PT. DI is also constructing a flat plate aircraft for fishermen and for tourism. "Hopefully the plane can be launched on  Hakteknas event in Makassar," he said.

He added that the research ministry is also developing S247 aircraft to monitor ships in Indonesian seas. However, currently the S247 ship only has ability to monitor 20-30 kilometers radious, it is expected to increase up to 70-100 kilometers. 

In addition, the ministry has also developed airbag technology to raise and lower the plane. This technology has been launched in Gresik, East Java, and is on production.

"The airbag has successfully lifted a 5,000 tons aircraft. This is the work of Indonesian youth and will be acknowledged as a product of Indonesian young generation," he said.

The 22nd Hakteknas commemorative events included technological devotion (inculcation of high yielding rice seeds simultaneously in 24 districts/cities in South Sulawesi), talk show, workshop, national and international seminar, technology exhibition and innovation product (RITECH), development exhibition and South Sulawesi innovation product, business gathering, side event, HKI consultation, awarding of science and technology and others.

The Hakteknas will be closed at Center Point of Indonesia Makassar on 10 August  2017. (translator: Rina Alexandra)