IPTN N-250

The IPTN N-250 was a regional passenger airliner turboprop, an original design by the Indonesian firm IPTN (Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara) (now Indonesian Aerospace), N letter in front of -250 stands for Nurtanio or Nusantara and 250 denotes a twin-engined aircraft with a capacity of 50 passengers. This aircraft was IPTN's first major effort to win the market share of the regional turboprop class of 64–68 seat airliners,[1]. The aircraft was the star exhibit at the 1996 Indonesian Air Show convened by President Suharto in Cengkareng, but its development was eventually terminated after the Asian financial crisis of 1998.

"N-250" redirects here. For the Nebraska state highway with this number, see Nebraska Highway 250.

N-250
The first prototype of the N250 at Husein Sastranegara International Airport at the 2012 Bandung Airshow.
Role Regional passenger airliner
Manufacturer IPTN/Indonesian Aerospace
Designer BJ Habibie
First flight 10 August 1995
Introduction 15 June 1997
Retired 2000
Status Terminated
Number built 2 (PA-1, PA-2)

As of 21 August 2020, the aircraft is now displayed at Dirgantara Mandala Museum, Yogyakarta, as its 60th collection.[2]

Design and development

The N-250 development plan was first revealed by PT IPTN (now PT Dirgantara Indonesia, Indonesian Aerospace) at the Paris Air Show in 1989, but was first introduced in 1986 when the Indonesian Air Show 1986 was held. The first prototype, serial number PA-1 with a capacity of 50 passengers, flew on 10 August 1995. The Second prototype, a stretched variant with a capacity of 70 passengers named N250-100, was planned to have its first flight in May 1996, but this was delayed and the plane was instead first flown on 19 December 1996. The third and fourth prototypes were planned to first fly in July 1996 and September 1996 respectively, but construction for both aircraft were halted due to the financial meltdown in Asia the following year.

After termination

There has been some consideration concerning the program's revival by former director of the IPTN and, later, former Indonesian president BJ Habibie after having received approval from the incumbent president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. However, to reduce production costs and improve price competitiveness in international markets, changes were made which have resulted in reduced performance such as a reduction in engine capacity, and the removal of the fly-by-wire system. The planned reborn plane was planned to be named N250R.

In August 2012, both developing parties, Erry Firmansyah of PT Eagle Cap and PT Regio Aviasi Industri (RAI), led by both of Habibie's sons, agreed to finance N-250. It will use a new name, R-80.[3]

On 26 September 2013, Nam Air signed an order for 50 R-80 with an option for 50 more aircraft, to be delivered in 2018.

On 22 February 2018, RAI signed a memorandum of understanding with Leonardo Aerostructures to help fund and complete the development of the R-80. The company hoped to build four hundred R-80 aircraft over 20 years. It completed a preliminary design and feasibility test of the 80-90 seat aircraft in 2016, and hoped to finish detail designing and prototype manufacturing by 2019. RAI planned to build six prototypes, with flight testing from 2020 to 2022, and targeted issuance of a type certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2025. The price of the R-80 would be USD$25 million.[4]

B.J. Habibie advocated production of the plane (despite no longer being the director of IPTN) as its only rival, the Fokker 50, was no longer in production because of Fokker Aviation's bankruptcy in 1996.

Variants
N250-100 PA-2 prototype displayed at its manufacturer's production facility, 2013
N250
The initial prototype with a capacity of 50 passengers. One produced (PA-1) and named "Gatotkaca"
N250-100
The second prototype is a stretched version, capable of carrying 68 passengers. One produced (PA-2) and named "Krincingwesi". First Flight 19 December 1996.
N270
Further stretched variant, 3 meters longer than N250-100 capable of carrying 72 passengers. Planned to be produced as third prototype (PA-3) and will be named "Putut Guritno" or "Koco Negoro". Completion planned for 18 months after N250-100 first flight and some integral parts like fuselage, center wing and engines already or almost completed, however development stalled after the Asian financial crisis of 1998.[5]
RegioProp R-80
Re-building program of N-250 by B.J Habibie under PT. Regio Aviasi Industri name. Planned for conducting its first flight between 2019-2020. When finished, it will able to carry up to 92 passengers with range up to 800 nm (1.481 km). LoI has been signed by NAM Air for ordering 100 planes consists of 50 firm orders and 50 optional orders, and Kalstar Aviation for 25 planes. Other airlines that have expressed their interest including Wings Air, Citilink, Sky Aviation and Merpati Nusantara[6][7]

Specifications (N250-100)

Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2000–01[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 64-68 passengers (PA-2) / 6,200 kg (13,669 lb) payload
N250-50 50 passengers (PA-1) / 6,000 kg (13,228 lb) payload
  • Length: 28.15 m (92 ft 4 in)
N250-50 26.3 m (86 ft)
N250-50 13,665 kg (30,126 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 24,800 kg (54,675 lb)
N250-50 22,000 kg (48,502 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 4,200 kg (9,259 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Allison AE2100C turboprop engines, 2,439 kW (3,271 hp) each
  • Propellers: 6-bladed Dowty Rotol R384/6123-FX8, 3.81 m (12 ft 6 in) diameter constant=speed fully feathering reversible propellers

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 611 km/h (380 mph, 330 kn) maximum at 6,100 m (20,013 ft) N250-50
  • Economical cruise speed: 556 km/h (345 mph; 300 kn) at 6,100 m (20,013 ft) N250-50
  • Stall speed: 195 km/h (121 mph, 105 kn) EAS flaps up, power off
167 km/h (104 mph; 90 kn) 20° flaps N250-50
  • Range: 1,270 km (790 mi, 690 nmi) N250-50 with maximum payload
800–1,100 km (500–680 mi; 430–590 nmi) N250-50 with 50 pax
  • Service ceiling: 9,140 m (29,990 ft)
N250-50 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 9.4 m/s (1,850 ft/min) N250-50
  • Max rate of climb on one engine: 2.633 m/s (9 ft/s) N250-50
  • Wing loading: 381.5 kg/m2 (78.1 lb/sq ft)
N250-50 338.5 kg/m2 (69 lb/sq ft)
N250-50 0.2218 kW/kg (0.1349 hp/lb)
  • Balanced field length: 1,220 m (4,003 ft) N250-50, S/L, +20°C

References
  1. Jackson, Paul, ed. (2000). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2000–01 (94th ed.). Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group. pp. 185–186. ISBN 978-0710620118.
  2. Kusuma, W. "Pesawat N-250 Gatotkaca Tiba di Museum Dirgantara Mandala Yogyakarta". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  3. "Perjanjian Proyek Pesawat N250 Sudah Ditandatangani" (in Indonesian). 11 August 2012. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013.
  4. Yuniarni, Sarah (23 February 2018). "Indonesian Manufacturer RAI to Build R80 Prototype With Help From Leonardo, LAER". Jakarta Globe. Jakarta, Indonesia.
  5. "Kisah Pak Harto Beri Nama 4 Versi Pesawat N-250 Buatan Bandung" (in Indonesian). Detik.com. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  6. "R80 Product Specification". Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.
  7. "Kalstar Aviation Tertarik Pesan 25 Pesawat R80". Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.

Further reading
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