Russian Presidential Aircraft

The "Russian Presidential Aircraft" which goes by common name of  "Russian Airforce One"  is the official aircraft used by Russian President when he travels abroad.

The aircraft is a derivative of IL-96-300 passenger aircraft and goes by the designation "IL-96PU". IL-96PU is a  modified wide-body aircraft a "Presidential Suite"  it is powered by 4 PS-90A by-pass turbojet engine.

There are 4 IL-96PU that are currently operated by Russia's presidential air detachment, which serves the president of Russia and members of the government.The air detachment  operates IL-96PU aircraft with registration number RA96012, RA96016 ,RA96018 and RA96019.

The IL-96PU Aircraft with its luxurious interiors "Presidential Suite" provides comfort and an environment conducive to work, it also acts as a full fledge "Nuclear Command Post" for the president when he is traveling and during crises. The aircraft is equipped with special security apparatus ,communication suite and also includes a type of escape capsule.

            Pictures of the IL-96PU and presidential suite interiors

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev inside Presidential Aircraft IL-96PU

              Presidential Trip , IL-96PU seen in the background

The State Seal of the Russian Federation is an official state symbol and the state’s official emblem. The double-headed eagle has regained its status as the centerpiece of Russia's state seal, testifying to the continuity of Russian history.

The State Seal of the Russian Federation is a rectangular red heraldic shield. At the bottom, it has rounded corners and a pointed middle. The shield is adorned with a golden double-headed eagle spreading its wings upward. The eagle is crowned with two small crowns and, above them, a large crown, all three joined together by a ribbon.

                            Saint Andrew the patron saint of Russia

                The Presidential  Ensign and the Russian coat of arms

                                                    In-flight Bible

References:
1 kremlin.ru
2 Flight Global http://www.flightglobal.com
3 Leaked Presidential Aircraft Images

ilyushin IL-96-400T

                                                      

The IL-96-400T Cargo/Transport aircraft is a modified variant  of the well known passenger aircraft IL-96-300. The aircraft was developed to take care of Air Cargo Carrier needs and it meets the national and international standards on cargo and ecology requirements.

Compared to the IL-96-300 passenger aircraft the IL-96-400T aircraft design is very contemporary one which  increased its internal fuel capacity it was lengthened by 9.35 m and equipped with new turbofan engines PS-90A1 and improved avionics.

Designed by Ilyushin Aviation Complex (Moscow, Russia) and manufactured by Voronezh Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Voronezh, Russia), IL-96-400T is capable of transporting up to 92 tones cargo to a distance of 5000 Km.

The IL-96-400T aircraft is operated by 3 crew members is equipped with modern avionics which includes six multifunctional color-LCD displays , Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS), Flight Management System (FMS), Inertial Navigation System (INS), Collision Avoidance System (CAS) including mode “S” transponder, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System ( EGPWS) , VHF communications (compliant with ICAO requirements of item 4.7 Appendix 10), and equipment permitting flights in Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM ) conditions.

                                   
                                         Cargo Area IL-96-400T 

                                  

                                  Spacious Cockpit View of IL-96-400T 

The Crew of IL-96-400T consist of pilot ,co-pilot,flight engineer - additional seat is available for instructor 


                                   Payload vs Range [ IL-96-400T ]


                                    Payload 92 t   <----->   5200 km
                                    Payload 70 t   <----->   7400 km
                                    Payload 62 t   <----->   9000 km
                                    Payload 40 t   <----->   12000 km
                                    Main deck, cubic m      580
                                    Lower deck, cubic m    196 (114+82)



              Beautiful Flight Demonstration of IL-96-400T at MAKS 09

 

  
References: 
Airliners.net   http://www.airliners.net/
Polet Airlines http://www.poletairlines.com/
Ilyushin aviation complex http://www.ilyushin.org/eng/

ilyushin IL-96

                                                        

                                                            

The IL-96  wide-body airplane a product of "Ilyushin Aviation Complex"  is designed to carry passengers, luggage and cargoes at long-haul routes.

It was designed  by Russian aircraft designer Sergey V Ilyushin, the aircraft is manufactured by Voronezh Aircraft Production Association.

IL-96 is currently produced in two variant IL-96-300 Passenger Variant and IL-96-400T Cargo variant.

IL-96-300 Passenger Aircraft

The IL-96-300 can accommodate between 235 and 436 passengers depending on the configuration. The aircraft features a new type of wing layout and the fuselage of the aircraft is approximately 4m shorter than its predecessor, the Il-86 aircraft.

The aircraft implements the newest engineering solution in aerodynamic configuration, assemblies and systems which ensures a very high level of airplane safety and operational economy during its operation.

Key Feature of IL-96-300

• The Ilyushin Il-96-300 wings are supercritical and equipped with winglets , this allows the aircraft to maintain a very high subsonic cruise speed close to speed of sound i.e Mach 0.8
• The aircraft incorporates a triplex fly-by-wire control system , flight management system (FMS), an inertial and satellite navigation system ( GPS/GLONASS ) and collision air avoidance system (CAS) containing mode S transponders.
• The cockpit consists of Six Colour LCD Display and all information concerning onboard systems operation , piloting and Navigation are provided through these display.
• IL-96-300 control is computer-aided and it is supported by the electrical-hydraulic system with a back up artificial mechanical channel which provides high level of redundancy. 
• The aircraft is designed to meet international ecological requirements and is compliant with ICAO standards ( App.16, Ch.3 ) 
• Due to its reliability and implementation of "on condition" maintenance its operating cost is lower within its class.
• It is powered by four highly reliable and proven PS-90A Turbofan Engine.
• The airplane has been designed with modern passenger amenities and comfort , passenger salons with their soft diffused illumination, the modern finishing, comfortable passenger seats, video and audio entertainment system and various auxiliary devices and equipment are provided.

                                           IL-96-300 Cockpit View 

       IL-96-300 cockpit crew consist of Pilot,Co-Pilot ,Flight Engineer

                                     IL-96-300 Passenger Cabin  View 


IL-96-300 is available in three class passenger version , single class version – 300 ,two classes version – 263, three classes version – 237 passenger with range of 11,500 Km.
IL-96M/400 with a higher capacity is available in three class , single class version – 436 , two classes version – 386 ,three classes version – 315 with range upto 10,000 Km.

                       IL-96-300 Landing ,Cockpit View 



                     IL-96M Demonstrating its Flying Skills





                               IL-96-300 Passenger View 








References:
Photos: Airliners.net
IL-96-300 : http://www.ilyushin.org/

Frigate Ecojet : Russia Next-Generation Wide Body Short and Medium haul Aircraft

Details have emerged on "Frigate Ecojet" , Frigate Ecojet, a next-generation wide body short to medium haul aircraft ( ShFBSMS ) competitive on the international civil aviation market through the application of conceptually new aerodynamic and structural design.

Download:- Frigate Ecojet: Next Generation Wide Body Short and Medium Aircraft

The aircraft is expected to enter series production in 2014-2016. The operational performance parameters of the Frigate Ecoject is expected to exceed that of the most advanced civil aircraft in 2010 by 15-20%.

The Frigate Ecojet, developed in partnership with the Russian Centre of Aviation Science at the N.E. Zhukovsky Central Aerohydrodynamics Institute, is destined to become a foundational platform for the introduction of innovative solutions and technologies developed by the Russian aviation industry.

The New Nobility :Russia’s Security System

THE NEW NOBILITY:The Restoration of Russia's Security State and the Enduring Legacy of the KGB

This new book by Soldatov and Borogan, Russian journalist has extensively dealt with many events of Russian Intelligence namely FSB , SVR  and how through out the years since the end of KGB has risen to become its natural successor with more power and lesser oversight compared to its predecessor.

Soldatov and Borogan maintains and are creater of website Agentura.ru a site devoted to public interest research on Russian intelligence Policy ,Operations and related matters.

An interesting  discussion with the author
 Video: The New Nobility

Participants

Featured speakers
Andrei Soldatov ,Irina Borogan
Founder and editor, Agentura.ru
Moderator
David E. Hoffman
Contributing editor, Foreign Policy magazine

Tu-334 Beauty Comfort and Power

Tu-334 is one of the most beautiful aircraft from Tupolev stable. It is designed to carry about 100 passengers out to a range of nearly 3000 Km.


 Key feature of this aircraft are

• Designed to operate in extreme climate of CIS countries.
• Performance of flights under visual and instrument meteorological conditions, on any airways, over water areas, non-reference terrain and Arctic area.
• Compliance with Chapter IV, ICAO regarding noise level , allowing it operate from any airport in the world specially in Europe due to stringent noise and emission regulation.
• Low fuel consumption and high comfort.

Tu-334 Flight Display at MAKS 2007

Unfortunately for Tu-334 it was like a child which died just after it was born , United Aircraft of Russia ( UAC ) a conglomerate of all aircraft development in Russia has decided to cancel the project and  support Sukhoi SuperJet-100  ( SSJ ) program , since the latter was internationally more competitive.

A sad end to a rather beautiful and promising aircraft from Tupolev

Mother Teresa

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.