Indonesia's Second N-219 Prototype Completes First Test Flight

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State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) has run the first test flight for its second N-219 aircraft prototype in Bandung, West Java.

The first N-219 prototype was tested on Aug. 17, 2017.

PT DI chief test pilot Capt. Esther Gayatri Saleh and First Officer Capt. Ervan Gustanto piloted the twin-turboprop 19-seater aircraft on a 20-minute flight on Friday to land successfully at Husein Sastranegara International Airport. Two onboard engineers monitored the aircraft's performance during the flight.

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“This second prototype is much better [than the first] because the flight control system is much improved,” said Esther, who also piloted the first prototype last year.

PT DI chief engineer Palmana Banandhi said the first and second prototypes flew different test missions. "This is to accelerate our process to obtain certification," he said. (more)