With Foreign Investors, R80 Aircraft Manufacture Closer to Reality

INDUSTRY.co.id - The manufacture of R80 aircraft initiated by PT Regio Aviasi Industri (RAI) is getting closer to reality after a number of big companies from overseas have invested in it. This was conveyed by President Commissioner of PT RAI, Ilham Habibie, while receiving representatives from two Italian companies who took part in the development program and manufacture of the main Aerostructure components of R80 Aircraft, at the Habibie-Ainun library in Jakarta yesterday (22/2).

The two companies are still committed to participate in the development program and manufacture of the main Aerostructure Aircraft R80 components, covering the fuselage to the tail, beyond the Cockpit and wing parts.

"So we have agreed on cooperation, review the body parts until the tail," said Ilham Habibie. He explained that the Italian company that is interested to participate is part of a large Italian company in the field of development and manufacture of the main Aerostructure components for civil aircraft, including the design and the fuselage.

Ilham said, the presence of both companies help to develop and make R80 because currently there are still obstacles in the development and manufacture of R80. These constraints include the source of funding. "Funding is a problem because no bank wants to finance a development project. Because there is no certainty of profit gained from the development. If development can not be financed by banks anywhere in the world because it has not sold, there will be a working capital because there is a contract of return proof, "said Ilham.

RAI has completed the first phase of development and development of R80 aircraft, covering basic design and feasibility in 2016, then for phase two includes the overall development targeted for completion of 2025. Then the three-phase production and delivery of the aircraft to the buyer. Currently a number of subscribers, one of which is NAM Air and Sriwijaya Air subsidiaries have made reservations.

"Support and pray for this could be a small foreign exchange earnings with many parties that will be involved in the development of Indonesian aerospace industry," said Ilham Habibie. (AMZ)