Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – A team of 10 Indonesian engineers has successfully designed and built a prototype of an electric-powered transport aircraft called VELA-Alpha. This Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft is powered by electricity, significantly reducing carbon emissions. Moreover, the aircraft operates like a helicopter, eliminating the need for a runway.
“This aircraft has a capacity for one pilot and six passengers. It is designed to transport passengers from city centers to airports to alleviate traffic congestion,” said Ilman Pamungkas, one of the engineers behind the aircraft, during a presentation before members of the Center for Technology & Innovation Studies (CTIS) on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. The discussion was moderated by Professor Harijono Djojodihardjo, a CTIS member and Professor Emeritus of Aeronautical Engineering at ITB, who had previously taught the 10 young engineers.
Ilman explained that the aircraft was designed by a team of 10 graduates from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), all former students of Prof. Harijono. They include Rejeki Simanjorang, Donny Paryana, Ilman Pamungkas, Suharyadi P., Sudarminto S., Bambang S., Yorgi Ndaomanu, Indra Permana, Kartini Ismiati, and Harris Perdana. To develop the aircraft, the team established a company named PT. Vela Prima Nusantara.
Ilman described VELA-Alpha as an advanced air mobility vehicle designed for urban and regional transportation. Market studies on AAM aircraft show that by 2030, the world will need approximately 7,000 AAM aircraft, half of which will operate in the Asia-Pacific region. This demand is expected to grow to 47,000 units by 2040, with 24,000 of them serving the Asia-Pacific.
“Undoubtedly, an archipelagic country like Indonesia will need many of these aircraft,” Ilman added. For the initial phase, they are developing aircraft for urban air taxi services with a range of around 100 kilometers. This aircraft is suitable for inter-city transportation, travel from city centers to airports, medical evacuations, and tourism.
A preliminary study revealed that transportation by conventional taxi from Jakarta’s city center to Soekarno-Hatta Airport takes about 60 to 90 minutes due to traffic congestion. “In contrast, using the VELA-Alpha aircraft would take only 8 minutes,” Ilman noted.
Ilman also highlighted the aircraft’s Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) capability, which eliminates the need for runways. Additionally, with the current advancements in digital technology, VELA-Alpha can integrate with ground transportation systems through a “ride-sharing” program.
PT. Vela Prima Nusantara is headquartered within the PT. Dirgantara Indonesia (PT. DI) aircraft manufacturing complex in Bandung, where the aircraft design and development are being conducted. Production of the VELA-Alpha is planned to take place at PT. DI’s facilities. Wind tunnel tests on the aircraft model have been conducted at the Aerodynamics, Gas, and Vibration Laboratory (LAGG) at Puspiptek Serpong, West Java, while simulation tests have been carried out at Vela Prima Nusantara’s own laboratory.
Ilman and the Indonesian engineering team aim to complete the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) by 2025. The first flight is expected in 2026, with aircraft certification finalized in 2027, paving the way for mass production.
To realize this project, collaboration has been established with global aviation industries for procuring components such as propellers, electric motors, composite materials, electric batteries, landing gears, aircraft structures, controls, and avionics, all aligned with the DED designed by the Indonesian engineers.
During the Singapore Air Show 2024, preliminary interest from potential customers was recorded, with orders for 120 units of the VELA-Alpha.
CTIS discussion participants expressed strong support for the flagship program of these young Indonesian engineers, hoping for further backing from stakeholders. For instance, it is hoped that laboratory testing at Puspiptek Serpong and full-scale construction testing at BRIN Puspiptek Serpong can be carried out free of charge.
CTIS also hopes that the Ministry of Transportation will expedite the VELA-Alpha certification process in 2027. The Ministry of Finance is encouraged to provide a 300% tax incentive for aircraft design and development activities as per government regulations. Meanwhile, the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP) is urged to provide research grants to support the completion of the design and flight testing phases. Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to facilitate meetings between VELA and potential buyers at the Dubai Air Show 2025.
