TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The Indonesian air force recently started using new planes for both training and fighting.
Both of these planes use a PT6 engine. It’s an engine that brought some new challenges to this air force.
“We never have the ability to have maintenance of the PT6,” said Lt. Rizki Satria, Indonesian air force.
Satria says typically their air force will ship their engines elsewhere for repair which can be expensive. To help cut these costs, mechanics with the Indonesian air force came to Terre Haute for help.
“We had some engines sent here and we have to have training. So we have training and lessons here at Turbines Inc.,” Satria said.
Satria says the air force came to Terre Haute because Turbines Inc. is one of the few remaining shops with knowledge of the PT6 engine.
After just a month of experience Joshua Colburn, a mechanic at Turbines Inc., says he believes this air force has learned the proper skills to begin repairs on these special engines.
“It goes in a airplane, it doesn’t go in your car. 30,000 feet in the air is a lot different than on the ground but I think they’re all more than capable of going back and completing the mission,” Colburn said.
Satria says during his stay he not only learned repair skills that are valuable to his military, but also made memories that will last.
“It’s a little town but we found the hospitality of the people and we have new friends and family here,” Satria said.
Satria says they were ordered by their commander to learn these skills so they are able to expand their abilities.
The air force will head back to Indonesia tomorrow where they will begin building an air base.
