Research And Technology Ministry Designs N-219

Jakarta, Jan 3 (ANTARA) - The ministry of research and technology has said it is currently designing an N-219 type of transport aircraft to serve remote regions. Research and technology minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta said here on Thursday the aircraft would serve among other regions in Papua which are geographically difficult to reach. "The funds for making the aircraft has been made available. So, if the design is finished it will immediately be handed over to PT Dirgantara Indonesia for immediate manufacturing," he said. He said he hoped the plane could be finished this year. He added he would cooperate with the National Aeronautic and Aviation Institute (Lapan) and the Agency of Technology Assessment and Application (BPPT) in designing the N-219. "The design of the N-219 plane would be self-made unlike the fighter type whose design is now being made in cooperation with South Korea," he said. Gusti Muhammad Hatta said his office meanwhile has also conducted talks with the ministry of transportation in connection with the plan to produce railway signals and an automatic train protection signal to minimize accidents caused by human error. The research and technology ministry is also considering a special transportation means for animals to minimize stress on animals being transported to other places, he said. It will also develop a technology to anticipate against the spread of bird flu virus, he added.