Its maiden flight was in August 2017 and according to Indonesian Aerospace's CEO at the time, the aircraft was developed without any foreign assistance.[1]
Development
Two N-219 prototypes inside a hangar.
In 2003, after the IPTN N-250 program halt, Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) planned to develop a 19-seat aircraft to offset the IPTN NC-212.[2]
In early 2004, IAe was in discussions with Malaysian aerospace companies and was estimating the price of N-219 development at US$60–80 million in order to fly a prototype in April 2006 and certify it in August 2007.[3]
In 2006, the US$65 million funding for the 19 seat N-219 development was proposed under the Qatar-Indonesia Joint Investment Fund, 70% funded by Qatar and 30% by Indonesia, for a prototype within two years.[4]
By June 2011, its price was forecast to be US$4 million each and it was expected to fly in 2014.[5] The Indonesian Industry Minister requested Rp59 billion to build the prototype.[6][7]
In January 2012, the predicted development budget was about US$30 million for 15 aircraft.[8]
In August 2014, the forecast price rose to US$5 million.[9]
The first pieces of metal were cut for the plane in September 2014, before a planned roll-out in August 2015 and certification in 2016, before EASA certification with support from Airbus for export.[10] First deliveries were scheduled for 2017.
The roll-out was then scheduled in November 2015.[11]
In August 2016, Airbus was engaged to provide assistance with certification.[12]
The prototype entered testing after the November 2015 public introduction.[13] The first prototype construction was planned to be completed in mid-2016 for a maiden flight at the end of 2016, but this first flight was delayed to March 2017 for certification in the same year and production start in 2018.[14] In February, it was delayed again to April.[15]
After a series of high-speed taxiing runs on 11 August 2017 at Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung, the prototype took off on 16 August 2017 for a 26-minute flight.[16] At that time it was estimated that at least Rp 200 billion was needed to complete 200 hours of flight tests for certification from the Indonesian Transport Ministry.[17]
The Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a type certificate on 18 December 2020.[19]
On 8 December 2021, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the Indonesian Aerospace and PT Infoglobal Teknologi Semesta/Infoglobal to integrate maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA) mission systems into the N-219. It will be based on a previous system that also installed on the Indonesian Navy's NC-212 Maritime Patrol aircraft.[20]
CEO of Indonesian Aerospace Gita Amperiawan stated in September 2024 that the N-219 has entered serial production, with the first production aircraft planned to be the Amphibian variant and slated for the Indonesian Army. The company aimed to complete the Army type certification for N-219 in 2027 and deliver the first aircraft at the same time.[21] The military variant has sliding door for medical evacuation, logistics and troop transport.[22]
Design
Model of N-219 Amphibian variant.
The N-219 is twin-engine, 19-seater transport aircraft designed for multi-purpose missions in remote areas.[23] It is intended to operate in and out of remote, semi-prepared airstrips; suitable to conditions in Indonesia's archipelago.[24]
The experience of building licensed CASA C-212 Aviocar has aided the Indonesian Aerospace on designing the N-219, and like that design, is also of all metal construction. It is claimed that it will have the largest cabin volume in its class (6.50 x 1.82 x 1.70m)[10] and a flexible door system to allow multi-purpose missions for transporting passengers and cargo. The aircraft is designed to comply with FAR 23 (commuter category aircraft).[25]
In August 2013, Lion Air was to sign a memorandum of understanding for 100 US$4.5-5 million N219s.[26] The total market for the N-219 was forecast as 97 civil and 57 military aircraft.
On 13 April 2015, three memoranda of understanding were signed: with Nusantara Buana Air for 20 aircraft and ten options, with Aviastar Mandiri for 20 aircraft and ten options and with Trigana Air Service for ten aircraft and five options.[27]
Indonesia has signed deals with China and Mexico to export N-219 to those countries.[28]
In 2017 southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Myanmar expressed interest in the aircraft.[17]
By October 2018, domestic airline Avistar signed a memorandum of understanding for 20 more while the N219 had 120 orders and was due to be certified in April or May 2019.[18]
On 9 December 2019, the government of Aceh signed a cooperation agreement or memorandum of understanding for the procurement of N219 aircraft, crew training and the operation of Aceh's air transport service.[29]
On 3 November 2022, Indonesian company PT Karya Logistik Indotama (PT KLI) ordered 11 N-219s configured for passenger transport, for US$80.5 million. The first aircraft are scheduled for delivery 28 months after the contract's entry into force.[30]
The Ministry of Defense of Indonesia ordered six N-219s, including one N-219 Amphibian, for the Indonesian Army.[31][21]Janes reported that the contract was signed in November 2023 and valued at US$68 million. It is the first military contract of the N-219.[32] N-219 for the Indonesian Army has entered production by September 2024, with the planned delivery in 2027.[21]
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