The existence of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) amidst the increasing needs of the aviation industry is very strategic. PTDI CEO, Gita Amperiawan, emphasized that his company, supported by hundreds of engineers and experts, has succeeded for the first time in completing the production of the N219 aircraft from the design stage to obtaining certification.
***
The certification for the N219 aircraft was handed over by the Directorate General of Air Transportation to PTDI, witnessed directly by the Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi in Jakarta, Monday, December 28, 2020. Now, PTDI is preparing mass production for the 19-passenger propeller aircraft which has a number of advantages compared to similar aircraft.
According to Gita Amperiawan, the achievements made by the engineers who serve at PTDI are worthy of appreciation. This is the first time that this nation's proud aerospace company has reached an important phase in aircraft production.
"The N219 aircraft is a product that involves national experts. From design to production, around 400 engineers are involved. And this is the first in our aviation history, making an aircraft, then we process it for certification until it is finished and ready for mass production. Hopefully this will be the successor to the late Mr. Habibie's ideals in building the N250 aircraft," he said.
Although the media recently widely publicized the Jeju Air plane crash at Muan Airport in South Korea on Sunday, December 29, the Azerbaijan plane crash on December 25 and a number of other accidents, the safety level of air transportation is still better than land and sea transportation. Because the manufacture of aircraft and their operation use high safety standards. "We make aircraft with high safety, before operating they must also get certification. It's not easy to get it," he said.
In the Southeast Asia region, PTDI is the only aerospace industry that exists. However, he said, many people do not know about this condition. He was jealous of the city of Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, the headquarters of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) which is the pride of the ginseng country.
"Not many people who go to Bandung know that there is PTDI which produces airplanes. Therefore, we use our CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds for edutainment programs for school and university students on weekends," said Gita Amperiawan to Edy Suherli, Bambang Eros, Irfan Meidianto, and Dandi Juniar when they stopped by the VOI office recently. Here is the full excerpt.
What is PTDI's main target in developing the N219 aircraft?
The N219 aircraft is a product involving national experts. From design to production, around 400 engineers are involved. This is the first in our aviation history, making an aircraft, then processing it until it gets certified and is ready for mass production. Hopefully this will be the successor to the late Mr. Habibie's ideals in building the N250 aircraft. By producing the N219, PTDI has successfully completed one cycle in aircraft manufacturing, from design to certification. Currently, the aircraft has entered the production phase.
The N219 aircraft is also a vehicle for PTDI to begin aggressive penetration into the commercial market. In the past, PTDI did it for the CN250 aircraft, but it did not develop. So now we will start again. In addition, we are also targeting the defense market and the commercial market because this sector has very large opportunities.
What are the advantages of the N219 aircraft?
This aircraft is a 19-passenger multi-purpose aircraft. The advantage of the N219 aircraft is its ability to take off and land on short runways, which are around 600 meters to 800 meters. The runway does not have to be paved; this aircraft can also be used on clay or grass. This aircraft is very suitable for pioneer flights with short airport runways. Nearly 100 pioneer airports in Indonesia have runways under 1,000 meters.
The N219 aircraft is very suitable for reaching 3T (Frontier, Remote, and Outermost) areas. These areas have unique characteristics with short runways. In addition, the stol speed (short take-off and landing) of this aircraft is designed to be low, so that before landing, the aircraft can circle the hill. This aircraft is suitable for the geographical conditions of remote areas that have minimal airport facilities.
Are there any amphibious specifications, considering that our country is an archipelago?
The next development is an amphibious aircraft. Alhamdulillah, steps in that direction have been started through an order from BRIN. From Bappenas, there has been a green light to help develop this aircraft from the basic version that has been certified to the amphibious version. Although the specifications are for landing on water, this aircraft can still land on regular runways because it is equipped with wheels for landing on land.
So far, which parties have expressed interest in purchasing the N219?
Since receiving certification in December 2020, orders have come from various parties. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense, under the leadership of Mr. Prabowo as Minister of Defense, has ordered this aircraft. Currently, we have also entered the commercial market. Our struggle is long, including preparing services for periodic servicing and providing funding institutions. We offer financing schemes and systems to prospective buyers.
We have pioneered projects with several local governments through the economic alleviation program supported by Bappenas. The first project is in the Riau Islands Province, where the N219 aircraft is used as a means of regional connectivity.
When dealing with banks interested in becoming funding providers, they asked whether the secondary market had been formed. This is a new challenge for us. However, at the recent Bali International Air Show, we have signed orders with two parties. We hope that in the near future this will be followed up with a purchase contract.
We have also signed a purchase contract with a national businessman who owns a mine in Congo. In Africa, the N219 aircraft is very effective for remote areas. Until now, there have been a total of 5 N219 aircraft manufacturing contracts that we have worked on. With this, we have entered the commercial stage.
So, PTDI has learned a lot in aircraft marketing?
Amazing, this is really something new for PTDI.
PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan said that they used CSR funds to invite high school and college students to visit their company. It turned out that this was well received, now kindergarten and PAUD children also visit PTDI on weekends. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI: Raga Granada VOI)
Currently, what are the competitors for an aircraft of the N219 class?
Many manufacturers make aircraft of this class. Twin Otter has already worked on this class, then Cessna with its product 408 SkyCourier. Caravan also from Cessna, although smaller (9 passengers), can also be a competitor. All competitors are from abroad. In the future, how can this N219 be a solution for connectivity in our country's regions.
How big is the chance of winning the competition with competitors who already exist?
Each manufacturer has its own advantages. In terms of performance, we dare to compete, including with SkyCourier for example. Some say they are better, but for takeoff and landing, they need a 1,300 m runway. While the N219 is enough with 600-800 m. There are also those with only one engine like the Caravan, while the N219 has two engines, so it is safer if the other engine has problems during flight. For payload, we can compete with the Twin Otter which is under 2 tons; we can carry two tons more. In addition, the N219 is more spacious, the cabin height is 170 cm, while the others are on average 150 cm. I have brought several prospective buyers, and they are comfortable with this aircraft.
How about the selling price?
Compared to SkyCourier and others, we can still compete on price. The TKDN (domestic content level) of the N219 is 44.69%. We will continue to increase the TKDN of this aircraft to 60%. The next challenge is to provide a supply chain when the aircraft is mass produced. With this advantage, we are optimistic that we can compete in the future. Ideally, PTDI has its own leasing to support the sale of the N219.
This aerospace industry can provide added value to the economy. We will create the ecosystem. The aerospace industry is powerful. Therefore, we ask the government to take advantage of this opportunity. With aircraft, regions can overcome connectivity constraints and open logistics distribution channels.
Ilham Habibie in an interview with VOI said the market niche for this type of small aircraft is very large for a region like Indonesia, what is your comment?
I agree with that opinion. The N219 is categorized as a small aircraft, and its potential and market niche are very large for pioneer flights. This can also open up remote areas. We see in the Riau Islands and other regions in Indonesia that are separated by sea and difficult terrain, this small aircraft can be a solution. As I said earlier, the runway is relatively short, and does not have to be asphalt. Clay and grass runways can also be used for landing. In addition, its maintenance is also designed to be simple. The N219 is designed to be a solution to connect remote areas in the country.
In addition to prioritizing the domestic market, at the same time, we are also penetrating the global market. Several countries have expressed interest in using this aircraft. We just need to continue with the MoU to make it more advanced and then produce.
Apart from the N219, what other aircraft are PTDI's flagships?
The NC212 and CN235 aircraft are aircraft that we have been producing for quite some time. We used to produce the NC212 together with Airbus, but now Airbus is no longer producing it. This means that we are the sole manufacturer. Alhamdulillah, during President Prabowo's visit to Brazil and Peru recently, there was an MoU with PTDI. In Lima, Peru, we signed an MoU with a local company for MRO CN235 and NC212 for Latin America. They prepared around 2 million US dollars for two years to carry out maintenance and make the CN235 and NC212 aircraft that were not airworthy to be airworthy. This is a big market for PTDI, and we already have local company partners working on it.
In addition to Latin America, we are also penetrating Africa, Senegal, and Nigeria. As for Asia, we have been doing it for a long time. Our strategy: first, how to maximize PTDI as a supplier of defense equipment and aircraft for the TNI. Second, how we enter the commercial market. And third, how to explore export opportunities for PTDI products.
In your opinion, why do our national airlines still use pioneer aircraft from foreign manufacturers, not from PTDI production? What are the obstacles?
As far as I know, the main obstacle is in the funding sector. For foreign aircraft manufacturers, they already have funding support. PTDI does not yet have leasing or similar funding institutions. Indeed, someone must buy first. We thank one of the operators in Kepri who will buy two N219 aircraft. Currently, we are still processing certification from the Ministry of Transportation so that the N219 can be used by national cargo companies.
Apart from the issue of aircraft production, the PTDI area is now also open for tourist visits on Fridays and weekends. Where did this idea come from?
This is part of our CSR. The idea started from our collaboration with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) which is located in Sacheon City, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. There, people who have just arrived immediately know that there is an aircraft industry in the city. There are quite a lot of markers in the city, such as taxis with airplane-shaped ornaments, and so on.
When people go to Bandung, exiting the Pasteur Toll Road, they don't know that next to it is the only aircraft industry site in Southeast Asia. Therefore, I told my friends, we have to introduce PTDI to the public. Then, we channel CSR through an edutainment program. School children can visit PTDI on Fridays and weekends. The title is tourism, but there is educational content. Children enter for free, and we also prepare Bandros (Bandung city tour buses).
What is the goal of this edutainment activity?
We want to show the public, especially students, that PTDI exists and is still strong. We are still producing and producing aircraft that can compete with aircraft manufacturers from other countries. It turns out, the enthusiasm of visitors is beyond our expectations. Our initial target was high school or college students, but now those who come are also PAUD and kindergarten children. Basically, PTDI is crowded with students visiting on weekends for tourism.
Since children, we have introduced that our country has an aircraft industry. Furthermore, we hope that children will be proud of our aircraft industry. Next, we hope that they will love the world of aerospace, and hopefully young Habibies will emerge as successors. Since 2023, this edutainment program has been held without ever being quiet. In fact, visitors come from outside the city, not only from Bandung.
What other complementary facilities are provided?
We also provide a cafe for visitors who want to relax while waiting for their children to tour PTDI. Just for coffee, tea, or snacks. The name of the cafe is RunWay Cafe. With this edutainment program, the sense of ownership of the millennial generation towards the national aerospace industry has increased. If I want to have a dialogue with young people, I just gather them in the cafe, without rigid bureaucracy. While discussing, singing, and eating. I also often bring my family to this cafe.
What else does PTDI do to be more beneficial to the surrounding environment?
We have the ability to design machines. One of our CSR programs is to collaborate with Paguyuban Pasundan and Pasundan University to build the Sorghum Center. The goal is to improve the welfare of sorghum farmers in West Java. PTDI designed a sorghum processing machine that can be moved around. We have also made an MoU with seven related institutions, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Food Agency, and others. Currently, we are waiting for offtakers who are interested in the machine that has been designed and will soon be produced.
Is PTDI's CSR very suitable for President Prabowo's food self-sufficiency program?
Yes, that's right. Hopefully the nutritious meal program in West Java can adopt a sorghum-based menu at least one day a week. If realized, this will be very helpful. Idle land in West Java can be maximized. Sorghum is a resilient plant, easy to care for, and highly nutritious. Sorghum can be processed into sorghum rice, sorghum flour, bioethanol, and animal feed.
Gita Amperiawan and the Hobby of Repairing Antiques
A vehicle that broke down and could not be moved was a challenge for Gita Amperiawan to tinker with so that it could move again. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI: Raga Granada VOI)
A broken motorcycle or car that can no longer run is a challenge for Gita Amperiawan. In his hands, a motorcycle that was almost scrapped turns into a roadworthy and valuable antique.
While on duty in Malang, East Java, he found many motorbikes and cars that could no longer be driven. "Since long ago, my hobby was dressing up broken motorbikes. About five or six years ago I fixed an old Triumph motorbike until it could run again," recalled the man who before joining PTDI Gita Amperiawan was a high-ranking Air Force officer with the rank of Air Marshal (Marsda).
For Gita, there is a special happiness when he succeeds in fixing a car or motorbike that can no longer be driven because of old age or its parts that no longer function. "In Malang, Pasuruan, and the surrounding areas, there used to be a sugar factory around the 1900s. At that time, there were motorbikes and cars that were considered very advanced in their time. However, because of age, they could no longer run. Seeing this condition, I fixed them one by one," he continued.
It turns out that currently, while on duty as the President Director of PTDI, he also finds old vehicles that are no longer roadworthy. "I saw that at PTDI there was a Nissan President car belonging to Mr. Habibie that was stalled. After I checked it and it turned out that it could still run, I moved it to the Habibie museum at PTDI. Not bad, it added to the museum's collection," said Gita who was happy when the vehicle she handled could be driven again.
In addition to the vehicle, there are also paintings by Basuki Abdullah and other seasoned painters that she has restored. "I have collected all the paintings from the Mr. Habibie era and will put them in the museum to commemorate Mr. Habibie," she said.
Touring with Friends
There are many ways to build intimacy and strengthen teamwork, PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan by touring with employees on motorbikes. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI: Raga Granada VOI)
In addition to tinkering with old vehicles, Gita Amperiawan also enjoys being invited to go on a motorbike tour by his friends. "For me, touring is just a means to get closer to employees and staff in the office. Because, with that event, our relationship with each other becomes closer," continued the man who completed his undergraduate degree at ITB and continued his studies to get a doctorate at Cranfield University, England.
It doesn’t have to be far, the important thing is that it’s reachable. “The furthest we go touring is to Pangandaran or Ciwidey,” he said. According to Gita, he can build team solidarity not only formally in the office, but also through activities outside the office such as touring by motorbike. “Usually we do sanmori or Sunday Morning Riding,” he continued, adding that the gathering point is usually at PTDI’s RunWay Cafe.
It turns out that it’s not just Gita and PTDI employees who use RunWay Cafe as a place to gather. “There are motorbike communities, car communities, who use RunWay Cafe as a place to gather,” he said.
What makes Gita happy is that through gatherings with employees, whether done through touring or just regular gatherings, he can share and exchange ideas. “I and my friends often get ideas and thoughts from those informal events. Because the atmosphere is probably more intimate and not too formal,” said Gita, who also absorbed the complaints and aspirations of employees when gathering.
To maintain physical health, when there is no touring, Gita takes the time to jog and walk in the morning. "Just light exercise, because you have to know yourself at my age. The important thing is to sweat. I actually really enjoyed the touring. Along the way, we could see the beauty of nature that we passed through to the final destination," he said.
Invite Young People to the World of Aerospace
The aerospace industry is an opportunity that is a shame to miss. Therefore, the President Director of PTDI called on young people to study diligently, after gaining knowledge, take part in the existing aerospace industry. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI: Raga Granada VOI)
The aerospace world has enormous potential, therefore Gita called on young Indonesians to seize this opportunity. “The opportunity in the aerospace world is enormous. In addition, the technology applied is high technology,” he said.
He gave an example of bolts, the value of which becomes higher when used for the aerospace industry. “Here are some that are both used for bolts, one for cars, one for airplanes. The selling value of bolts for airplanes is much higher. This is proof that the aerospace industry has enormous potential. So come on young people, don’t let go of this opportunity and chance,” he said.
For Gita, the aerospace world is the future. “From the technology side, the technology used is high technology. From the business side, the aerospace world also opens up many business opportunities that it would be a shame if we let them go. We can’t just be spectators. We have to be players too,” he said.
Talking about airplanes, Gita Amperiawan continued, it is not only about assembling but also about the maintenance and care of the airplane after mass production. "Come on, all my children who are still young, use the opportunity to learn and study diligently until you master the knowledge. After that, let's dive into the world of aerospace that is waiting. Hopefully the next Habibies will emerge who will continue their work in the world of aerospace," he said.
"And this is the first in our aviation history, making an airplane, then we process it for certification until it is finished and ready for mass production. Hopefully this will be the successor to the late Mr. Habibie's ideals in building the N250 Aircraft,"
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
