History
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero)
I. INTRODUCTION
Aircraft is a means of transportation that has a very important meaning for economic development and defense, bearing in mind that Indonesia is an archipelagic country with geographical conditions that are difficult to penetrate without adequate means of transportation. From the conditions mentioned above, the idea arose that as an archipelagic state of Indonesia, it is important to have a maritime and aviation industry. This led to the birth of the aircraft industry in Indonesia.
II. NATIONAL EFFORTS FOR AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT
A. BEFORE THE INDEPENDENCE OF INDONESIA
Since Indonesian puppet mythology developed in the cultural life of the Indonesian people and the figure of Gatotkaca became a legendary figure as a 'flying hero', the desire of the Indonesian people to have the ability to fly has been very high since then.
In the era of the Dutch colonial government, there was no aircraft design program, instead they carried out a series of activities related to making licenses, technical and safety evaluations for all aircraft operating throughout Indonesia.
In 1914, the Flight Test Section (Flight Test Section) was established in Surabaya with the task of studying aircraft flight performance in the tropics.
Then in 1930, this was followed by the establishment of the Aircraft Production Section (Aircraft Manufacturing Section) which produced the Canadian AVRO-AL aircraft, where the modified fuselage was made of local wood. This manufacturing facility was later moved to Andir Airfield or Andir Airport (now Husein Sastranegara Airport).
It was during this period that interest in building aircraft was developed in privately owned workshops.
In 1937, eight years before Indonesian independence, at the request of a local businessman and some Indonesian youths, led by Tossin built an airplane in a workshop located on Jl. Pasirkaliki, Bandung. They named it the PK plane. KKH. This aircraft surprised the aviation world at that time because of its ability to fly to the Netherlands, China and vice versa. Prior to this, around 1922, Indonesia had even been involved in aircraft modifications at a private house on Jl. Cikapundung, Bandung.
In 1938, at the request of LW. Walraven and MV. Patist - PK designer. KKH - small aircraft built in the workshop on Jl. Kebon Kawung, Bandung.
B. INDEPENDENCE ERA
As soon as Indonesian Independence was proclaimed in 1945, the opportunity for the Indonesian people to realize their dream of building an airplane with their own needs was wide open. Since then, people have begun to deeply realize that as an archipelagic country, Indonesia will always need air transportation for the smooth running of its own country, in terms of economic development and national defense.
In 1946, the Planning & Construction Bureau was established at TRI-Air or Indonesian Air Force (now called TNI-AU). Sponsored by Wiweko Supono, Nurtanio Pringgoadisurjo, and Sumarsono, a workshop specially set up in Magetan, near Madiun, East Java.
From the simple materials of a number of Zoglings, the NWG-1 light aircraft was made.
The manufacture of this aircraft also involved Tossin, supported by Ahmad, cs. There are six of them, the aircraft is used to develop interest in aviation for the Indonesian people and at the same time it is also used to introduce the world of aviation to prospective pilots who are ready to take flight training in India.
Then in 1948 they succeeded in making the first aircraft engine, powered by a Harley Davidson engine, called the WEL-X. Designed by Wiweko Supono, the aircraft became known as the RI-X.
This era was marked by the emergence of a number of aeromodelling clubs which led to the birth of an aviation technology pioneer, named Nurtanio Pringgoadisuryo. But they had to stop this activity because of the communist Madiun Uprising and Dutch aggression.
In this period aviation activities were carried out as part of the physical revolution for national freedom. The aircraft available here are modified for combat missions. Augustine Adisutjipto was the most outstanding figure of this period, who designed and test-flyed an airplane and flew it in aerial combat. He modified Cureng's plane into a ground attack version.
After the Dutch colonial era ended, the activities mentioned above were continued in Bandung at the Andir airport - later known as Husein Sastranegara Airport. In 1953 this activity was institutionalized into the Trial Section (Experimental Section). It is managed by 15 members, which are under the supervision of the Air Engineering Maintenance Depot Command, led by Air Major Nurtanio Pringgoadisurjo.
Based on Nurtanio's design, on August 1, 1954, the division succeeded in flying the 'Si Kumbang' prototype, an airplane made of full metal with one seat and made of three units.
On April 24, 1957, based on the Decree of the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force No. 68, the Trial Section was developed into a larger organization, named the Investigation, Trial & Manufacture Sub Depot.
In the following year, 1958, the basic trainer prototype "Belalang 89" was successfully flown.
As a serial production, the following aircraft was called Belalang 90 and was made in 5 units, and they took some of the best pilot candidates at the Air Force Academy & Army Aviation Center (Air Force Academy & Army Aviation Center). In the same year, the "Fifly 25" sport aircraft was flown. The philosophy of this aircraft is to motivate the younger generation of Indonesia who are interested in aircraft manufacturing.
To improve their aeronautical background, during the 1960s – 1964 period, Nurtanio and three other colleagues were sent to Far Eastern Air Transport Incorporated (FEATI) Philippines, one of the first aeronautical universities in Asia. After completing their studies, they returned to Bandung to work at LAPIP.