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"Junior Reporters Explore the Home of Aircraft Builders"

Monday, August 24, 2026, became one of the most memorable days for me and 49 other Media Indonesia Junior Reporters (Repcil). We had the incredible opportunity to visit PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI). Yeay!

It felt exciting and proud at the same time to see one of Indonesia's proud aircraft industries up close. Thank you to Media Indonesia for organizing this event in celebration of PTDI's 50th anniversary.

Happy anniversary, PTDI! May you soar even higher and continue to bring pride to the name of Indonesia!

Learning to Become a Reporter

Before visiting PTDI, we first received training on reporting and journalism delivered by senior reporters, including Kak Iis, Kak Firman, Kak Irba, Kak Arya, and other reporter mentors.

They shared a great deal of knowledge and experience about becoming a reporter. After the training, I felt even more motivated to learn journalism.

I'm also very grateful to have been selected as one of the Media Indonesia Junior Reporters. According to the committee, 127 children registered, but only 50 participants were selected. Alhamdulillah, I was one of them.

Throughout this program, we were coordinated by the Media Indonesia committee, from the training schedule and factory visit activities to technical preparations for interviews.

Today was one of the activities I had been looking forward to the most: the factory visit to PTDI. My fellow Repcil friends and I had the chance to see various types of aircraft up close and learn more about the processes and working environment in the aerospace industry.

The most exciting yet nerve-wracking part was when we got the chance to practice interviewing through a press conference. Curious how it went? Let's follow my experience!

Wearing a Vest, Instantly Feeling Like a Reporter!

At 8:00 AM, accompanied by my mom, I headed to the re-registration desk.

This was the first thrill! I was given a special Repcil vest, a hat, and an ID badge. Wow, I was so happy and couldn't wait to put them on. I quickly put on all the gear.

I probably looked a little full of myself, but that's okay, guys, hahaha. My mom was even more excited than I was. She immediately grabbed her phone and started taking pictures of me.

Click, click!

My mom's inner photographer came out in full force. Typical mom! Aren't all moms like that, guys? Hehehe.

Next, we all entered the B.J. Habibie Auditorium. While listening to the briefing, we were given breakfast and snacks.

We were divided into three groups, each accompanied by a committee member. I was in group 3.

The first group did the factory visit first, while the second and third groups waited in the auditorium. While waiting for our turn, the facilitator led us in various fun games.

The atmosphere became more and more lively and time passed quickly. Before we knew it, it was finally our group's turn for the factory visit.

I couldn't wait!

Seeing Aircraft Up Close

We headed to the aircraft area riding an operational vehicle called the Bandros. The journey to the location only made our curiosity grow.

Not long after, we arrived at the location.

Wow, there were so many aircraft there! There were small planes and much larger ones too.

We visited the Mock-up Gallery building. Inside, there were various examples and mock-ups of aircraft developed by PTDI, including military aircraft and remotely operated unmanned aircraft.

So cool!

Indonesia turned out to be that amazing, guys. We should be proud. PTDI is Indonesia's aerospace industry, capable of developing and manufacturing various types of aircraft.

Indonesian children need to know this. Come on, you should visit here too!

According to Mr. Cepi Napisa from PTDI's Marketing, Communication, and Promotion division, some of the aircraft products developed by PTDI include the NC212i, N219, and CN235.

He also told us about the N250, an aircraft once developed by B.J. Habibie. The N250 is now housed at the TNI AU Dirgantara Mandala Central Museum in Yogyakarta.

B.J. Habibie is also known as an important figure in the development of Indonesia's aerospace technology and had expertise in aircraft technology and structural analysis.

Feeling Like a Real Reporter

We then had the opportunity to enter one of the aircraft.

Inside, I saw various parts of the plane, such as the cabin, lights, windows, food equipment, and the air circulation system.

The part that excited me the most was when we were allowed into the pilot's cockpit. I even got the chance to sit in the cockpit area and take a photo in Junior Reporter style while holding up my ID badge.

It felt truly exciting!

I felt like I was a real reporter on assignment inside the aircraft.

After the Mock-up building, our group moved to the aircraft maintenance area. There, we were accompanied by Mr. Andrie as the field supervisor.

He explained many things about aircraft in a way that was engaging and easy to understand.

One thing that caught my interest was his explanation of the four forces acting on an aircraft that allow it to fly: thrust, drag, lift, and weight.

I also got the chance to ask Mr. Andrie about the joys and challenges of working at PTDI.

According to him, one of the most enjoyable things is being able to work at an Indonesian aerospace company that he and his family are proud of.

Meanwhile, one of the challenges is the limited number of canteens in the industrial area, so he often brings his own lunch from home.

He answered while laughing, which made the interview atmosphere more relaxed and fun.

A Rare Chance to Interview the Directors

Before we knew it, the factory visit had ended. We returned to the B.J. Habibie Auditorium and had about an hour to rest, pray, and eat.

There was a surprise that made me very happy. It turned out that I, along with three other friends, was chosen to interview PTDI's Board of Directors.

I was truly happy and grateful for this rare opportunity.

During the interview session, I had the chance to ask a question to Mr. Dena Hendriana, PTDI's Director of Production.

My question was, "Does PTDI have any plans to develop an electric aircraft or a more environmentally friendly aircraft?"

He explained that the development of more environmentally friendly aviation fuel is ongoing, one example being bio-jet fuel (bioavtur). However, its use is still being developed to meet the energy needs of aviation.

As for electric aircraft, PTDI is still conducting studies and technology development.

The next question came from a Repcil named Abdul Malik. He asked, "Of the various aircraft produced by PTDI, which one are you most proud of?"

Mr. Dena answered that one of the products he is most proud of is the N219.

According to him, the N219 was developed to help connect areas that are difficult for other aircraft to reach, especially regions with limited runways.

The N219 can operate on relatively short runways. Even more interesting, an amphibious version of this aircraft is currently being developed, which will be able to land on both land and water.

Wow, so cool!

Next, Sabrina asked a question to Ms. Dhias Widhyati, Director of Finance and Human Resources (HR).

"How long does it take to build an aircraft, and how much does it cost?"

Ms. Dhias explained that the aircraft manufacturing process can take about 2 to 2.5 years. Costs vary depending on the type of aircraft, the materials used, and passenger capacity.

For a single aircraft, the cost can reach millions to tens of millions of US dollars, equivalent to hundreds of billions of rupiah.

Wow, what a huge amount!

The last question was asked by Saliha. She asked, "What message do you have for Indonesian children who dream of working in the aviation world?"

Ms. Dhias's message was truly inspiring. She encouraged Indonesian children to dare to dream big and never be afraid to pursue their dreams.

In addition, she said we must have integrity or honesty, commitment, discipline, and never forget to always pray.

Learning from Experience

After the interview session ended, we were given our next task: practicing how to write an activity report.

We were given 60 minutes to write about the day's experience like a journalist writing a news story for publication.

Once finished, our writing was collected by the committee for documentation.

And here is the activity report I managed to write today.

Becoming a Junior Reporter turned out to be an extraordinary experience.

I didn't just learn how to ask questions and conduct interviews, but also learned to observe, listen, take notes, dare to speak in front of others, and convey information to readers.

I'm very grateful to have had this opportunity. From today's experience, I learned that to achieve our dreams, we must dare to try, keep learning, be disciplined, have integrity, and never give up easily.

I hope more and more Indonesian children will dare to hone their skills, dare to dream, and diligently pursue their dreams.

I hope our generation and the next can become a golden generation capable of bringing Indonesia forward as an increasingly advanced nation.

Thank you, PT Dirgantara Indonesia and Media Indonesia, for this extraordinary experience.

See you in the next Media Indonesia Junior Reporter coverage! (B-3)

Source: https://mediaindonesia.com/humaniora/927112/reporter-cilik-menjelajah-rumah-para-pembuat-pesawat