Indonesia has established its own aerospace industry, PT

Indonesia has established its own aerospace industry, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI, formerly known as IPTN). In the past, IPTN made CN-235, evidence of the country's mastery of high- technology in aircraft making. PT DI has also received orders for components of jumbo Airbus A-380 aircraft.

In 1996 was the test flight of N-250, the most technologically sophisticated airplane of its class originally designed by Indonesia. Unfortunately, this aircraft could not be widely marketed because of certification problems.

In the case of CN-235, Spain also produced the same aircraft but could market it to Europe, the United States and some other countries, because it possessed the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) certificate for Europe and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate for the United States and some other countries. Indonesia's CN-235, however, possessed only the JAA certificate so its market was limited.

A study has shown that Indonesia does not possess the FAA certificate because it has yet to sign a bilateral treaty with the FAA for aircraft certification. In future, the new government must lend full support to the country's aerospace industry so that PT DI can sign agreements with relevant international aircraft certification agencies and widely market its products.

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