The Ministry Of Transportation Is Ready To Do A Seaplane Flight Test On Lake Toba

Head of the Land Transportation Management Center for the Batara Pardede Region, Director of River, Lake and Crossing Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation, Ir Junaidi, together with Chief Medical Officer of Trauma Center F1 Powerboat, Dr. Steven Anthonis, (photo: dock. between)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) will conduct a trial of aircraft flights (seaplane) above Lake Toba, North Sumatra, February 26. This is expected to be an option for tourists in the future.

Director of River, Lake and Crossing Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation, Ir Junaidi, said that there are two take-off and landing processes that will be carried out in the waters of Lake Toba. This vehicle is intended for tourists, with a capacity of four people, but will later become even bigger.

"The plan is that there are two take-off and landing processes carried out in Lake Toba waters," said Director of River, Lake and Crossing Transportation Ministry Ir Junaidi, in Balige, North Sumatra, Saturday, February 25.

The seaplane aircraft used for the trial was brought in from the Indonesian Aviation Academy (API) Banyuwangi, a university owned by the Ministry of Transportation which is the only one in Southeast Asia that provides water flight education and produces reliable seaplane pilot-pilots.

The seaplane trial on Lake Toba will be the first time in Indonesia and will receive an award from MURI specifically for landing seaplane in Indonesia, especially in Lake Toba.

Secretary of the Transportation Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMP) of the Ministry of Transportation, Heri Sudarmaji, explained that the seaplane trial in the series of F1 Powerboat events was an effort to promote universities under the Ministry of Transportation and see the potential for tourism development through the presence of the seaplane.

The Ministry of Transportation also wants to explore the potential to facilitate seaplane pilot training and for tourism so that tourists who come to Lake Toba can rise faster in the seaplane than using land transportation that takes longer.

Kendaraan ini rencananya untuk turis-turis, kapasitasnya empat orang tapi nantinya akan lebih besar lagi. Ini adalah pesawat yang bisa mendarat di perairan, katanya pula.

Director of API Banyuwangi, Captain Daniel Dewantoro Rumani, said that the seaplane trial was adjusted to the series of Powerboat F1 racing which will be held on February 26, at 12.15-12.50 WIB. API has also made the first water airport design in the lake, so that it can support the development of the tourism sector in the area.

"Especially for the lake, this is the first time. So, this will also get an award from MURI specifically for landing seaplane in Indonesia, especially Lake Toba," he said again.

Seaplane, which is the favorite in the world today, is a Kodiak Quest aircraft produced by US company Quest Aircraft Company. The aircraft has the capability to take off and land on the surface of water and land runway, so it can be used for various purposes such as passenger and cargo transportation, fire engines, and search and rescue missions.

Kodiak Quest is also equipped with modern technology such as advanced navigation and communication systems as well as environmentally friendly and efficient machines in the use of fuel.

Seaplanes or amphibious aircraft have the ability to take off and land on the water, and this happens because of a special technology that allows the aircraft to safely carry out both actions. Some of the technologies that make the seaplane land and not sink in water include:

Floats or pontoons: Seaplane is equipped with floats or pontoons, which is a wheel made of special materials that can float in water and support the weight of the plane when landing on water. Floats also has an aerodynamic shape and can provide the lift that is needed when taking off.

The hydral system: Seaplane is equipped with a hydral system that can drive floats to regulate the altitude and position of the aircraft above the water. This system also helps the aircraft to stabilize its position when there is strong winds or large waves.

Strong engine: Seaplane is equipped with a fairly powerful engine and is capable of moving the plane when landing and taking off from above the water. This machine is usually equipped with a special cooling system so that it is not damaged when exposed to water.

Navigation system: Seaplane is equipped with a complete navigation system, including GPS, radar, and communication systems, to help pilots avoid danger and navigate aircraft safely.

Design technology: Seaplane is designed with a special shape that can maximize lift power and reduce air drag when flying. This aerodynamic design also helps the aircraft to land smoothly on the water.

With the above technologies, the seaplane can land and not sink in water safely, and is one of the effective and efficient transportation options in areas with extensive waters.