IPTN sells 113 helicopters

IPTN sells 113 helicopters

JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned PT Industri Pesawat Terbang
Nusantara (IPTN) has thus far sold 113 NBO-105 helicopters on the
domestic market, a company vice president says.

IPTN Vice President for marketing, Pudji Sulaksono, said NBO-
105 helicopters, which costed Rp 3.5 billion (US$1.52 million)
each, were multi-purpose vehicles that could be used for search
and rescue operations, air traffic control, off-shore and
military operations and aerial photography. They could also
function as "air ambulances", Pudji said.

"Compared to their use, the price set by IPTN is not
expensive," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

The helicopter, produced since the late 1970s, has a capacity
of four passengers and one pilot, a flying range of up to 570
kilometers, a maximum speed of 242 kilometers per hour and a
flying time of 3.4 hours.

Pudji said the buyers of the NBO-105 were the Batam island
authority, the Ministry of Defense and Security, the National
Police and several private companies.

Pudji said IPTN had so far produced 317 units of helicopters
and aircraft worth a total of US$2 billion. (pwn)