IPTN to feature at air show

BANDUNG, West Java: The state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) has confirmed its participation at the upcoming Air Show Down Under and Australian International Air Show & Aerospace Expo 1997 at Avalon Airport in Gelong, Victoria.

IPTN said in a statement Wednesday that the event, scheduled for Feb. 18 to Feb. 23, would be attended by State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, who is also IPTN president.

IPTN executive vice president for the N-2130 aircraft project Ilham Habibie, vice president for sales Aditya Kusuma, vice president for marketing Pudji Sulaksono and head of the CN-235- 330/Phoenix development program Agung Nugroho are also expected to attend.

The air show is significant for IPTN as Australia is one of its most lucrative markets, particularly for its CN-235 aircraft.

IPTN is currently developing its CN-235 into a CN-235- 330/Phoenix series, a new version that would meet Australian requirements.

The statement said that the Royal Australian Air Force is planning to replace its squadron of Caribou DHCA4 with CN-235- 330/Phoenix.

Apart from featuring the CN-235 aircraft, IPTN will also introduce its program to develop an N-250 turbo prop aircraft and N-2130 jetliner, Antara reported.