Turkey's first regional jet set to perform its first flight in 2019

Turkey's first regional jet, TRJ328, which is being developed as part of the TRJet program, is set to perform its first flight in 2019, and construction work on a TRJet facility will start in Ankara during the next phase. TRJet, Turkey's first national regional jet airliner, will be displayed for the first time in the Middle East at High-Tech Port. TRJet is being introduced in Doha after its international launch, and it is expected to receive many orders.

Having produced domestic tanks, infantry rifles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and attack helicopters, Turkey will produce 10 domestic airplanes by 2019 after a $1.5 billion investment. Meeting 60 percent of Turkey's defense requirements, the national defense industry will produce TRJ-328 domestic airplanes with a 32-seat capacity. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu introduced in May the TRJ-328. "While the defense industry grew 5 percent worldwide, it showed 15 percent growth in Turkey. In a short period of time, Turkish Airlines has become one of the world's most important [airlines]," he said.

Giving details about Turkey's cooperation with the regional jet project, Fatih Özmen, the CEO of the U.S.-based aerospace systems company Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC), said the Defense Industry (SSM) and STM are making good progress.

Underlining that the jet to be produced is expected to change the face of air transportation in Turkey, Özmen said TRJET is essentially a transfer of mastery, expertise and education. TRJET offers a solid foundation in the fields of technology and innovation on which Turkish people will be able to establish new studies for posterity, he said, adding that the final approval process for the historic project still continues.

Özmen, who was chosen as one of the 10 most influential Turks in the U.S. by TurkofAmerica magazine, said the TRJet facility to be established in Ankara will produce the TRJ328 using a modernized version of Dornier 328 aircrafts within a few years and it will perform its first flight in 2019. "Turkey aims to benefit from its existing aviation resources in the best way possible to complete the jet before the scheduled flight time," he added.

The TRJ328 is considered a major step toward the production of the TRJ628, the first domestically designed passenger plane in Turkey. It is expected that the supply of parts for the production of the TRJ628, which will be designed and produced by Turkish engineers, will lead to a significant surge in the number of suppliers in this field in Turkey. The TR628 is slated to perform its first flight in 2023 in honor of the centenary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.

As part of the domestic passenger plane project, sub-systems for the 32-passenger airplane will be produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI), Military Electronic Industries (ASELSAN), Tusaş Engine Industries Inc. (TEI), HAVELSAN, Turkish Airlines Technic, Alp Aviation, Kale Aviation, Turkish Cabin Interior Inc. (TCI), TSI Aviation Seats and other companies under the leadership of STM. The domestic TRJ-328 airplane, which will have a capacity of 32 passengers and a jet engine, will have a flight range of 3,720 kilometers and will be able to take off from 1,400-meter runways. The turboprop model of the plane will have a speed of 620 kilometers and a flight range of 1,850 kilometers.

The project will fill a great gap in Turkey's aviation market as it will offer frequent and direct flights between small cities where large planes cannot operate practically.  The aim is that the TRJet plant will support growth in Turkey's civil aviation sector and pave the way for the country to open up to the global aviation market as an aircraft original equipment manufacturer.

As well as opening a new horizon for the Turkish civil aviation sector, TRJet offers an investment opportunity for the country's new engineers and the sector's leaders. The project is expected to offer new and indirect employment opportunities in the fields of aircraft engineering and manufacturing.