IL-96-300 and IL-96-400, as the name implies, are two modifications of one aircraft created by Russian designers. The second version was supposed to be a logical continuation of the first, but for a number of reasons, a completely different machine turned out. Aircraft vary in interior, technical parameters, flight characteristics and ... fate.
Initially, these were liners for transporting passengers, respectively, over medium and long distances. But now the 300 model serves only in the presidential detachment, and the 400th ... Actually, about everything in order. Technical characteristics, features and photos of the IL-96-400 model we will consider.
History
At the beginning of the 1980s, the Ilyushin Design Bureau was developing a mid-range aircraft named IL-86. The machine was created according to the accepted standards of the time. Unlike the earlier 62nd and some Tupolev developments, the 86th engines are on pylons under the wings. This is a wide-body aircraft that has modern (at that time) engines and control systems. One thing: this machine cannot yet completely replace the obsolete IL-62.
At the end of the 80s, data appeared on the IL-96 passenger plane. This development should also belong to the wide-body type, but become a long-haul machine. The basis of the new aircraft should be 86, but with appropriate amendments regarding speed, volume of fuel tanks, and the possibility of a long flight. In 1988, the first flight tests were conducted, and in 1993, mass production began. In 2009, it was announced to curtail production of the model, as unpromising. Over the years, only 22 (according to other sources 28) cars saw the light. Of those remaining in operation, some of the aircraft operate in Cuba, several more modified versions are used by Rossiya Airlines to serve the top officials of the state.
Model 300
After the start of mass production, the new model, which received an index of 300, goes to Aeroflot. For a car that can compete with the leading developments of Boeing and Airbus, the development team receives the State Prize. And although this aircraft was cheaper, safer, and in some respects even surpassed the development of the Americans, domestic carriers bought Boeing. Moreover, the motivation for such a purchase sometimes took the most ridiculous forms. For example, there are two crew members on the Boeing, and three on the IL. Or that the Boeing is safer, although the design tests of our development proved the opposite.
The detailed technical characteristics of the IL-96-300 aircraft practically repeat version 400, just note that the presence of this airliner allowed Aeroflot to make direct flights from Moscow to any city in both Americas, and at the same time carry up to 300 people (one-cabin layout).
Birth 400
The first truck in the line was the IL-96T. He was born in 1997 as part of the Russian-American treaty. Russia provided a glider, and the Americans provided 4 engines from Pratt-Whitney (the same uses the Boeing 777) and airborne avionics from Collins. The aircraft received a slightly elongated fuselage, cargo equipment, and even passed certification according to American standards FAR25. But it did not go into further production. It was on its basis that the first 400th was subsequently constructed. They installed Russian avionics and Russian engines on the plane.
Model 400
At the turn of the century, developers are releasing a liner that can fly 500 km further, and at the same time take on board 435 people. But the difficult financial situation in Russia practically puts an end to the passenger plane, however, a transport version is being designed on its basis. Passenger changes, cargo doors are added, and in 2007 at the air show the next development of the Voronezh enterprise - IL-96-400T, was demonstrated. This is not a new development, as flight performance remains unchanged. For two years the plane has been idle, changing owners like gloves, but in 2009 the Russian company Polet became interested in the machine, and the first three planes depart for it (two were assembled earlier than 2007 and existed as experimental samples). Thus, the start date of operation is considered to be April 23, 2009. Karpov, the president of Polet, plans to bring the number of cars to 6, but in 2013 the carrier is declared bankrupt. Voronezh assembled the fourth plane, but for obvious reasons, it was never bought back by the company.
But another buyer became interested in the transport version - the Russian Air Force. Today, rumors are circulating about 30 transport planes and the same number of 300 models. Official sources from the Ministry of Defense say that the program is planned for 10 years, with the expectation of getting the last car in 2024.
The lineup
During its difficult life, the IL-96 has undergone several modifications. In addition to the main models - 300 and 400, several more options were released, most of which were either redone in other versions, or left as a prototype. These include:
- IL-96T is the first prototype of a modern 400 model. The only instance from the entire line that wore American equipment for some time.
- IL-96M - the second prototype instance. The main difference was an elongated fuselage.
- IL-96-300 is a passenger model of a wide-body aircraft. For almost 20 years, these models have been used by Aeroflot in a limited number (according to unofficial data, there were only 6 cars on the company's balance sheet).
- IL-96-400 and 400T are the passenger and transport models of the aircraft, respectively. Either up to 92 tons of luggage, or over 400 people.
- IL-96-400TZ - the model is redone from the previous version. The Russian Air Force became interested in the tanker. It is in this version that the 400 model was ordered for the planned replacement of the IL-78.
- IL-96-550 is a prototype double-deck aircraft. Replaced Boeing 747-400. Whether there will be further development is not yet known.
The list does not specifically include several more models of the PU range (control point), these modified 300 and 400 models that serve in a separate detachment of the Rossiya Airlines and are referred to as Board No. 1 according to international classification
Features
The Russian IL-96-400 aircraft in the process of creation received several features that distinguish it from aircraft of other companies.
The tanker plane that interested the military is a two-in-one model. Additional fuel tanks placed in the fuselage are connected to the main fuel system and are able to accommodate 62 tons of additional fuel. The aircraft can deliver this stock at a distance of 3,500 km. If the need for a tanker disappears, it is easy to convert it into a regular transporter. The flight range will not change, but cargo can be taken up to 92 tons.
The second feature of this airliner is flight safety. The 96th became the only aircraft in the world that is able to land normally even if all 4 engines on board fail. Such a check was carried out during the first tests by Russian test pilots. In flight, all 4 engines were turned off, after which the aircraft was quietly planted according to the usual landing pattern.
Technical specifications
Below we consider other features and parameters of the IL-96-400 aircraft. Technical characteristics of the transport version:
- length - 64 m;
- height - 15, 7m;
- width - 6.1m;
- wing span - 60.1m;
- wing area - 392 square meters m;
- take-off weight (max) - 270 t;
- cruising speed - 850 km / h;
- ceiling - 13100 m;
- range - 10,000 m;
- payload - 92 tons;
- passenger capacity - 435 people (for one class of accommodation);
- Runway for takeoff - 2600m, for landing - 1980 m.
Flight ban
The history of this aircraft was not without a short-term, but nonetheless bringing great losses to Russian carriers, ban on flights. The decision was made as a result of an incident in August 2005, when, when departing from Finland, the presidential board was unable to gain the speed necessary for separation. According to the chief designer, this decision was unlawful. The fact is that the characteristics of the IL-96-400 aircraft include possible failure of units for various reasons. Hydraulics has a reserve exceeding consumption by 4 times. Such a reserve is quite enough to maintain the normal braking mode for all 12 wheels of the liner, even if the system fails on one or two wheels. Their functions will switch to others.
Conclusion
For a number of reasons, the IL-96-400 aircraft, originally developed as a long-haul airliner, switched to military service. At the same time, due to the passenger past, the Air Force receives a machine that is capable of performing several tasks: from a regular transporter to an escort aircraft. The situation would be different, these steel birds would fly across the territory of the former Union for medium and long distances. After all, the entire 96 line was originally planned as a replacement for two machines: the Il-86 and the Il-62.