JAKARTA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- An Indonesia's indigenous propeller plane made its maiden flight in West Java on Wednesday, which is highly expected to meet increasing demand for small planes in domestic and international markets.
The plane, codenamed N 219 which has a capacity of 19 passengers, was originally developed by the state-run aviation industry of PTDI and national aerospace agency of LAPAN.
The plane is expected to earn flight certification from related agency in the nation's Transportation Ministry next year after enduring 300 flight hours.
"After that, the N 219 would begin its mass production phase in 2019 with a priority to fill up domestic demands," PTDI President Director Budi Santoso said on the sidelines of the maiden flight, adding that foreign markets in Asian and African countries have also been targeted.
Designing of N 219 plane was initiated in 2014 to follow suit the idea to build such a plane which emerged in 2011.
The turbo propeller plane was designed fit to operate in remote areas with short airstrips, capable to accommodate passengers or cargos as well. The amphibious version of the plane would also be developed to provide more variant of the plane.
The plane will be an apparent competitor to planes at the same class which have already existed in the world, among others de Havilland DHC-3 Otter, DHC-6 Twin Otter, Antonov An-28, Britten Norman Trislander and CASA N-212 Aviocar.
