Jet-powered N-250 is just the beginning

PARIS (JP): The N-250 twin turboprop aircraft is the first of a family of airplanes, both propel and jet powered, that PT IPTN plans to produce as Indonesia bids entry into the global aviation industry.

IPTN has already produced the second prototype of the plane, the N-250-100, which has seating capacity for 64 to 68 passengers, instead of 50 in the original plane.

The N-250-200, boasting 72 seats, is in the pipeline.

And the N-250-300 version with greater passenger capacity may follow "if the market wants it", says IPTN President B.J. Habibie.

The N-250 is the first wholly Indonesian designed airplane, and one of its most salient selling points is that it uses the fly-by-wire system.

It is IPTN's main showpiece for now after the company produced various aircraft under licenses, or under joint ventures programs with CASA of Spain, as in the case of the NC-212 and CN235.

IPTN is currently working on a project to develop its first jet-powered plane, the N-2130. A model of the plane was on display at IPTN's stand in Le Bourget, the venue of the recent Paris Air Show.

But until the N-2130 takes off (the maiden flight is not expected until 2002), the N-250 series remains IPTN's main focus of attention as far as production and marketing are concerned.

Following its maiden flight in Indonesia in August 1995 and participation in the Indonesian Air Show in Jakarta in June last year, the N-250 made its international debut at the prestigious air show here this month.

Habibie said the N-250-200 will be an improvement over the earlier model because IPTN is continually assessing its performance and improving the software used for the fly-by-wire system.

"Its speed will reach at least 350 knots, maybe even 360 knots, but 350 knots is guaranteed," Habibie said, adding that this version should become available by 2001 at the latest.

IPTN is working to obtain the certification of airworthiness for the N-250-100, a prototype of which is now making test flights at its main plant in Bandung, West Java.

Habibie said IPTN should receive certification from the Indonesian government at the end of 1998, or by March 1999 at the latest. Certification by the European Joint Airworthiness Authority should be obtained one month later, and by the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority some three months afterwards.

"We're working hard for that," he said in an apparent admission of tough international certification requirements.

While waiting for the certification, IPTN is already working full steam to market the plane. By this month, it has pocketed orders -- mostly in the form of memoranda of understanding and letters of intent -- for more than 200 units. IPTN needs to sell 259 units to recover its investment.

Most of the orders came from domestic airliners, justifying one of the very reasons why Indonesia decided to develop its own aviation industry. But foreign markets will also be important for the N-250.

IPTN last month established the European Regional Aircraft Industry (EURAI) AG based in Germany -- a joint venture with German business interests -- to market the plane and possibly assemble if sales exceed 12 units a year.

This follows the establishment of the American Regional Aircraft Industry (AMRAI) in Alabama to represent IPTN in North America.

Safety and comfort are among N-250's major attractions, and the fly-by-wire system was chosen for these qualities, according to Habibie.

He considered the N-250 as the first wide-bodied turboprop airplane. "If you sit in it, you have the same feeling of comfort as if seated in the business class or the economy class of the Boeing 747 or Airbus A330-340," he said.

Price-wise, Habibie is confident the N-250 will be able to compete with any plane in the same market segment, given the low cost of developing the plane, including subjecting it to thousands of hours in wind-tunnel tests.

Habibie also took time to explain the N-2130 project, the reasons behind it and some of its technical aspects during his press conference at the Paris Air Show on June 17.

The jet project is an extension of the N-250 plane as IPTN has mastered much of the aviation technology, according to Habibie.

He said he was not discouraged by talks of consolidation in the global aviation industry, which many fear would lead to the industry being run by two giants -- Boeing and Airbus Industrie.

The N-2130 should begin flying in 2002, he said. He also made a promise, just as he promised here 10 years ago to eventually bring the first Indonesian-designed airplane to the show. "It will fly here in Le Bourget in 2003."

Habibie said IPTN was concentrating on the segment for jet aircraft with seating capacity of between 100 and up to 130, precisely where Boeing and Airbus begin, so that direct confrontation with the giant makers was unlikely.

The jet will also use the fly-by-wire system, cashing in on experience gained with the N-250.

Through compatibility, commonality and an integrated approach, some parts used in the N-250 could be used in the N-2130. This will give IPTN flexibility in producing regional commuter jets at transonic speed, with capacities of between 50 and 130 seats.

IPTN also hopes to move into the military transport plane segment, combining its experience with the military version of the CN-235 outfitted with ramp doors, and that earned through the development of the N-250.

The military plane, called the N2XXM, incorporates the N-250 with a high speed wing, stretched fuselage, maximum speed of 350 knots, fly-by-wire system and new cockpit and propeller. (emb)