IPTN N-250
The IPTN N-250 is a regional aircraft commuter turboprop, an original design by the Indonesian firm IPTN (now Indonesian Aerospace). The aircraft was named named Gatotkaca after a character from Mahābhārata.
This aircraft was IPTN's effort to win the market in 50-70 class passengers with advantages in its class (when it was launched in 1995). It was the star exhibits at the 1996 Indonesian Air Show in Cengkareng. But this plane was eventually dropped after the Asian financial crisis of 1997.
The N-250 program were being reconsider to be rebuilt by BJ Habibie after getting approval from the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the changes in Indonesia that are considered democratic. However, to reduce production costs and improve price competitiveness in international markets, changes were made which have reduced performance such as reduction in engine capacity, and the planned removal of the fly-by-wire system.
B.J. Habibie advocated production of the plane (although now he is not a director of IPTN) as the rival Fokker F-50 is no longer in production because of Fokker Aviation's bankruptcy in 1996.
History
N-250 development's plan was first revealed by PT IPTN (now PT Dirgantara Indonesia,Indonesian Aerospace) in Paris Air Show 1989. This aircraft prototyping technology fly by wire was started in 1992. The first plane (PA 1, 50 passengers) flew on August 10, 1995.
Performance
This aircraft uses 2439 KW Allison AE 2100C turboprop engine. With 6 blade-propeller, it is able to fly with maximum speed of 610 km/h (330 miles / hour) and the economic speed of 555 km / h which is the highest speed in the 50 passengers turboprop class. Operating altitude of 25,000 feet (7620 meters) with a cruising range 1480 km.
Specifications
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