IL-96-400 aircraft: description, technical characteristics and features

IL-96-300 and IL-96-400, as the name suggests - two modifications of one aircraft, created by Russian designers. The second version was to be a logical continuation of the first, but due to a number of reasons, a completely different machine turned out. Aircraft are distinguished by the interior, technical parameters, flight characteristics and ... fate.

Initially, these were liners for the transport of passengers, respectively, for medium and long distances. But now the 300 model serves only in the presidential detachment, and the 400th ... Actually, everything in order. Technical characteristics, features and photos of the model IL-96-400 we will consider.

History

In the early 80's Ilyushin Design Bureau was developing a medium-haul aircraft, which received the name Il-86. The machine was created according to accepted standards of the time. Unlike the earlier 62nd and some Tupolev developments, the engines of the 86th are on pylons under the wings. It is a wide-body aircraft with modern (at that time) motors and control systems. One: but this machine can not completely replace the obsolete IL-62.

At the end of the 80's there are data on the IL-96 passenger plane. This development should also apply to the wide-body type, but to become a long-haul machine. The basis of the new aircraft should serve 86, but with the appropriate amendments regarding the speed, volume of fuel tanks, and the possibility of a long flight. In 1988, the first flight tests were carried out, and since 1993, mass production began. In 2009, it was announced that the production of the model would be curtailed as unpromising. During these years, only 22 (according to other sources 28) machines saw the light. Of the remaining in operation, some of the aircraft are operating in Cuba, several other versions of the version are being used by the Rossiya airlines to serve the top officials of the state.

Model 300

After the start of mass production, the new model, which received the index of 300, enters Aeroflot. For a car that can compete with the leading developments of Boeing and Airbus, the team of developers receives the State Prize. And although this plane was cheaper, safer, and by some parameters even surpassed the development of Americans, domestic carriers bought Boeing. At the same time, the motivation for such a purchase sometimes took on the most ridiculous forms. For example, there are two crew members on the Boeing, and three on the IL. Or that "Boeing" is safer, although the design tests of our development proved the opposite.

The detailed technical characteristics of the IL-96-300 almost repeat version 400, just note that the presence of this liner allowed Aeroflot to make direct flights from Moscow to any city in the Americas, and at the same time transport up to 300 people (single-seat layout).

Birth of the 400

The first truck in the line was 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 is used by the Boeing 777) and the avionics from Collins. The aircraft received a slightly elongated fuselage, cargo equipment, and even passed certification according to American standards FAR25. But in the further production and did not come out. It was on its basis that the first 400th was subsequently constructed. In the plane installed Russian avionics and Russian engines.

Model 400

At the turn of the century developers are releasing a liner capable of flying 500 km further, while 435 people are already on board. But the difficult financial situation in Russia practically puts an end to the passenger plane, but on its basis a transport version is designed. The passenger ones are changing, cargo doors are added, and in 2007 the following development of the Voronezh enterprise - IL-96-400T - is demonstrated on airshows. This is not a new development, since the flight characteristics remain unchanged. Two years the plane is idle, changing owners like gloves, but in 2009 the Russian company "Polet" became interested in the car, and the first three planes are sent to it (two were assembled earlier than 2007 and existed as experimental models). Thus, the date of beginning of operation is considered to be April 23, 2009. Karpov, the president of Polet, plans to increase the number of cars to 6, but in 2013 the carrier is declared bankrupt. Voronezh collected the fourth plane, but for obvious reasons, it was never bought back by the company.

But the transport version was interested in another buyer - the Russian Air Force. Today, there are rumors about 30 transport planes and the same number of 300 models. Official sources from the Defense Ministry say that the program is planned for 10 years, so that the last car will be received in 2024.

The lineup

For its difficult life IL-96 has undergone several modifications. In addition to the basic models - 300 and 400, several other variants were released, most of which were either altered into other versions or left as a prototype. Among them are:

• IL-96T is the first prototype of the modern 400 model. The only copy from the entire line, which for some time bore American equipment.
• IL-96M is the second prototype. The main difference was an extended fuselage.
• IL-96-300 is a passenger model of a wide-body aircraft. Almost 20 years, these models in a limited number used by Aeroflot (according to unofficial data, the balance of the company was only 6 cars).
• IL-96-400 and 400T are, respectively, the passenger and transport models of the aircraft. Either up to 92 tons of luggage, or more than 400 people.
• IL-96-400TZ - the model is reworked from the previous version. The Russian Air Force became interested in the fuel tanker. It was in this version that the 400 model was ordered, for scheduled replacement of the IL-78.
• IL-96-550 is a prototype of a double-decker aircraft. Analogue of the Boeing 747-400. Will further development - is not yet known.

The list does not specifically include a few more models of the PU series (control point), these modified 300 and 400 models that serve as a separate detachment of the Rossiya airline and are classified under the international classification as "Bort # 1"

Features

The Russian IL-96-400 aircraft in the process of creation received several features that favorably distinguish it from the aircrafts of other companies.

The airplane-tanker 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 can accommodate 62 tons of additional fuel. The aircraft can deliver this reserve for a distance of 3,500 km. If the need for a tanker is no longer needed, it can easily be converted into a conventional transport. The flight range will not change, but cargo can be accepted up to 92 tons.

The second feature of this liner concerns safety of flights. The 96th became the only aircraft in the world that can normally sit down even if all 4 engines on board are refused. This 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 safely planted according to the usual landing scheme.

Technical specifications

Below we will consider other features and parameters of the IL-96-400 aircraft. Technical characteristics of the transport version:

• Length - 64 m;
• Height - 15, 7 m;
• Width - 6,1 m;
• The wing span is 60.1 m;
• The wing area - 392 square meters. M;
• Take-off mass (max) - 270 tons;
• Cruising speed - 850 km / h;
• Ceiling - 13100 m;
• Range - 10,000 m;
• Commercial load - 92 tons;

• Passenger capacity - 435 people (for one class of accommodation);
• Runway for take-off - 2600 m, for landing - 1980 m.

Prohibition of flights

The history of this aircraft did not disperse, and without a short-term, but nevertheless brought great losses to Russian carriers, a ban on flights. The decision was made as a result of the incident in August 2005, when, on departure from Finland, the presidential board could not gain the speed necessary for detachment. According to the chief designer, this decision was illegal. The thing is that the characteristics of the IL-96-400 aircraft include possible failures of the units for various reasons. Hydraulics has a reserve exceeding consumption, 4 times. This margin is quite enough to maintain a regular 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, originally designed as a long-range liner, went into military service. At the same time, due to the passenger's past, the Air Force receives a machine that is capable of performing several tasks: from a conventional carrier to an escorted aircraft. The situation is different, these steel birds would fly through the territory of the former Union for medium and long distances. After all, the whole line 96 was originally planned, as a replacement for two cars: IL-86 and IL-62.