Regio Prop 80 (R80) ready to be launched

The eldest son of former Indonesian President BJ Habibie, Ilham A. Habibie, has big plans to develop regional aircraft, named Regio Prop 80 (R80). This aircraft is a development of the N250, which was led by BJ Habibie, but the project stopped by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) due to the economic crisis that hit Indonesia in 1998.

Ilham A. Habibie (Picture from:
http://infopenerbangan.com/)

In an interview with Detik Finance, Ilham A. Habibie said, Regio Prop 80 has quite a big difference compared to the N-250. The most visible difference is in terms of size. R80 has a larger size and have a greater passenger capacity than the N-250. R80 capable of carrying up to 80 passengers, while the N-250 is only able to accommodate 50 passengers.

Because of the larger aircraft size, so the aircraft's wing is also made larger to provide more powerful lifting force. In addition, the landing gear in the R80 also made more larger than the N-250 to accommodate the larger airframe.

In terms of technology, the R80 control system will be more sophisticated than the N-250. This occurs because the N-250 was developed 15 years ago, while the technology is becoming more and more advanced, so R80 will adopt more modern technology. Which became the similarities between R80 and N-250 are located on the machine. Both aircraft use the same turboprop engine as a driver. In addition, both wings is above the fuselage and if the split plane, curves or contours will be the same as the N-250.

The Indonesian turboprop aircraft, N-250. (Picture from: http://v2digest.com/)

N250's Cockpit. (Picture from:
http://finance.detik.com/)

Ilham said it would keep turboprop engine as it is considered a reliable and fuel efficient. Especially with smaller aircraft like this very effectively linking Indonesian short range small towns that spread from Sabang to Merauke and able to be accommodated by the airport with a short runway.

R80 is designed to be used on short routes with mileage less than 600 km. The aircraft is expected to compete with ATR aircraft that have been operated by many Indonesian airlines. 

Passenger cabin of N-250 
 (Picture from: http://finance.detik.com/)

Currently Wings Air is the flight operator with largest ATR 72 fleet in Indonesia. Even if all of ATR 72 that was ordered has been delivered, so the airline will become the largest ATR 72 operator in the world.

Citilink on this year also brings ATR 72 to connect these short routes. It is enough to prove that the propellers aircraft more efficient used on short routes. It was reported that the two air carriers are also interested to buy the R80 aircraft.

Ambition to compete with the ATR would be thorough consideration. ATR currently the benchmark of the propellers aircraft in the world. Later R80 will have a larger size than the ATR, which is 80 seats, while the ATR is currently only produce the aircraft with capacity of 70 seats.

The first ATR 72-500 of Indonesian carrier Wings Air. (Picture from: http://australianaviation.com.au/)

Another advantage is the R80 has a higher speed than the ATR, but with more efficient fuel consumption. In addition, the selling price of R80 will be made cheaper than the ATR. This is possible because the parts used were made in Indonesia. The R80 is developed by PT. Ragio Aviation Industries (RAI) which is a joint venture between PT. Ilthabie Rekatama owned Ilham Habibie and Erry Firman's PT. Eagle Cap.

Citilink's ATR 72-600. (PIcture from: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/)

Ilham also dismissed allegations that the company was founded to rival PT. Dirgantara Indonesia (PT. DI). According to him, PT. DI would be one of the shareholders and production aircraft also carried out by PT. DI. Could R80 compete with the world-class aircraft manufacturing product? At least we have to wait until 2018, when the aircraft was launched. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURSES | DETIK FINANCE | INDOAVIATION]

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