Creation IL 96 designers was another attempt to stop the emerging leadership of Airbus and Boeing in the production of long-haul vehicles. In the 90s, when Russia was experiencing an economic downturn, a cheap to manufacture, but still inferior in efficiency to Western aircraft, a Russian airliner appeared. IL 96.
The history of the creation of the aircraft IL 96
With the growth of passenger traffic in the late 80s, the need for a new wide-body aircraft increased.
By the end of the first half of the 70s, long-distance flights were carried out by aircraft IL-62, but the increased flow of passengers forced an increase in the number of flights, the load on airports increased and it became obvious that IL-62 as a long-range aircraft does not cope with the difficulties that have arisen. And the comfort on the Ilyushin is far from the same as that offered by the first wide-body aircraft in the world, the Boeing 747, which has been in operation since the end of 1969.
The new machine was created on the basis IL-86, where they left the same passenger capacity and flight range of 9 thousand km. The aircraft, which received the designation IL-86D, increased the wing area and equipped with engines NK-56, which were subsequently abandoned in favor of Perm motors PS-90. Therefore, the designer of the machine Novozhilov reduced the length of the fuselage, reduced the number of passenger seats and made the wing area somewhat smaller.
The aircraft named IL-96-300, took off for the first time on September 28, 1988 under the leadership of the crew commander of the Hero of the Soviet Union S. Bliznyuk. This machine flew over the North Pole to Portland in 15 hours and made a non-stop flight Moscow - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Moscow, covering 14,800 km.
Description of the aircraft IL 96
Though IL-96 outwardly similar to the progenitor IL-86, but the differences are still noticeable. It has a low-slung supercritical wing with a span of 60.1 m2 and reduced sweep. Winglets are located at the ends of the planes, which reduce the inductive resistance.
The T-tail on the wide-body aircraft was abandoned, but to improve directional stability in the event of an engine failure, the keel height was increased by one and a half meters. The wing is equipped with mechanization, slats are located in front along the entire toe, and double-slotted flaps are located behind. These devices create the necessary lift at high angles of attack without stalling the air flow.
Cabin IL 96
The airframe used new composite materials, which reduced the weight of the structure and made it possible to extend the service life. The chassis of the machine is designed according to a three-bearing scheme: the main brake struts are four-wheeled, the bow two-wheeled is not braked.
IL-96 equipped with four PS-90A engines with takeoff thrust of 16 thousand kg each. The power plants are located on the underwing pylons, two on each side of the fuselage. A feature of the engines is the Diagnosis-90 electronic control system, which allows you to control the operation parameters of the power plant, fuel consumption and prevent surge.
Thanks to the flight and navigation complex and the VSUP-85-4 electronic flight control system, the Il-96 crew consists of three people (without a navigator). In the cockpit there are displays that reflect information about the flight parameters and the navigation situation, on the central panel there are two more displays with an indication of the parameters of the power plants. Aircraft control is electrically remote, three-channel.
Unlike IL-86 The new aircraft has fuel tanks with twice the capacity: four tanks in each console and one inside the fuselage. The air conditioning system is automatic, supplying 25.7 kg/hour for each passenger.
The wing and tail unit are equipped with an electric pulse anti-icing system that protects their leading edges. Engine air intakes are heated by hot air from the compressor chamber.
Salon IL 96
The comfortable passenger compartment can accommodate 300 people, but for a two-class configuration, the capacity is 235 passengers. The lower deck is divided into three compartments for luggage and cargo.
Flight characteristics of IL 96 400
A deep modernization of Ilyushin was IL-96-400, below are the characteristics for this modification:
- Wingspan - 60.1 m.
- Wing area - 391.6 m2.
- Aircraft length - 63, 961 m.
- The maximum takeoff weight is 265 tons.
- The total payload weight is 58 tons.
- Flight range - 10 thousand km.
- Cruising speed - 870 km / h.
- Cruise echelon - 12 thousand meters.
- Number of passengers - 436 people.
- Power plants - PS-90A1.
- Crew members - 3 people.
Interesting facts from the operation of the IL 96 aircraft
- Il-96 is the only aircraft with a wide fuselage, created in the USSR.
- In the history of operation of the IL-96, there was no flight accident associated with the death of people - this is a reliable wide-body airliner.
- One of the modifications of this aircraft is the Il-96-300PU, which serves as an air control post for the President of the Russian Federation.
- Many of the IL-96 vehicles received their own names in honor of famous pilots and astronauts.
- In the history of operation of the Il-96, only once there was a ban on flights due to a factory defect in the landing gear of the presidential aircraft. The ban lasted 42 days - Aeroflot suffered significant losses as a result of this precedent.
- The area of the tennis court is one and a half times smaller than the area of the Il-96 wing.
Video: IL 96 400 heavy landing in crosswind
Il-96 is the first Soviet passenger airliner for long-haul flights with a wide fuselage. The Il-96 aircraft was developed by the Ilyushin Design Bureau at the end of the eighties of the last century on the basis of the previous machine, the Il-86. The new aircraft was distinguished by wings, which had a large area and the installation of new PS-90A turbofan engines. Four such motors are installed on the aircraft, each with a thrust of 16,000 kgf.
The reason for the creation of new passenger aircraft is the constant development of our society and the increase in those wishing to use the services of airlines. That is why the new long-range passenger aircraft Il-96 was created. The main feature of this model is that it has a wide fuselage, which allows you to accommodate even more passengers and provide them with comfortable flight conditions. By using larger planes, the airline can carry more passengers at a time, and this reduces the price of this service. All these factors forced the leadership of the USSR to think about creating a new machine, which became the IL-96. It was designed on the basis of the already existing Il-86 aircraft.
Where is the Il-96 passenger aircraft used
IL-96 is a long-haul aircraft that carries passengers. This aircraft model is capable of flying over long distances without landing. The main objective of this model was to replace the narrow-body aircraft that were used on flights both within the country and abroad. Before the creation of the new IL-96, all passenger transportation was carried out by the old IL-86. The need for a new wide-body car grew every year, as the number of passengers who wanted to use the services of airlines began to grow rapidly. Also, aircraft that had a wide fuselage could provide more comfortable flight conditions for customers.
The history of the creation of the IL-96 and its modifications
The designers began to develop a new model of the aircraft in 1978. The new development was based on the already existing domestic long-haul aircraft Il-86D. The designers used the Il-86 as the basis right up to the 83rd year, until advanced technologies began to appear, which forced the creators to reconsider the project and use more advanced materials and technologies. The designers were faced with the fact that the units and parts they had developed were no longer relevant, and the global aircraft industry had stepped far ahead.
For these reasons, the designers had to retreat from their plans and develop a fundamentally new machine, which was the basis for all subsequent modifications of the new Il-96 machine. For the first time, the new IL-96 took off from the ground in October 88, and already in 89 it was presented in Paris at the world air show. In the process of testing, Il conducted many tests, the main one was long-range flight. On the basis of the new machine, many new modifications were created that were more specialized.
The modification of the Il-96-400 was improved compared to the base model, as it had increased engine power, as well as the number of seats for passengers. A cargo model of Ila was also created, which is actively used in our time. Even more progressive was the IL-96M model, which was developed jointly with US airlines. But this model today exists in one copy and is used only for its presentation at air shows around the world. As for the standard IL-96 model, it entered mass production only in 1993.
Description of the Il-96 passenger aircraft
This aircraft is built according to the monoplane scheme, which has a low wing arrangement, as well as a classic fuselage plumage. The main purpose of this unit is the transportation of 300 passengers, their luggage and additional cargo, which is 40 tons. The range of passenger transportation is from 4 to 9 thousand kilometers, depending on the modification of the aircraft. The designers provided for a maximum flight range of 11 thousand kilometers, so it is possible to change the number of seats for passengers in the cabin.
The fuselage of the Il-96 aircraft has the same diameter as the previous model, but the length of the new Il is 5 meters less than that of the old Il-86. The designers, together with aerodynamic experts, have carried out fruitful work to create an efficient wing for the new aircraft. The area of the tail feather was also increased in case of failure of one of the engines, this innovation would help to keep the aircraft in flight.
The landing gear of this aircraft includes three main supports, which are located behind and take into account the centers of mass. The front support is also included in the chassis system. Each rear support consists of four wheels, which are equipped with efficient braking systems. The front support has two wheels and does not have a brake system. All wheels that are part of the IL-96 chassis system have the same dimensions and pressure.
Lift-off is provided by four engines of the PS-90A model. This model of turbofan engines is quite efficient and economical. Speaking about the fuel system, it should be noted that it works automatically, but if necessary, you can control it manually. Fuel is supplied to the system from 9 tanks. Eight tanks are located in the wings, and one in the center of the aircraft.
Due to the fact that the IL-96 is a two-deck vessel, it can be used in two main versions: mixed and tourist. The first and main option is tourist. Its feature is that the passenger seats are placed in 3 rows of 9 seats. When using this method of accommodation, 66 people can be accommodated in the front cabin of the aircraft, and 234 in the rear cabin. In a mixed version, the aircraft is divided into three classes and can accommodate 235 passengers.
IL-96 in commercial operation
This machine entered commercial operation only in the summer of 93, the first flight was from Russia to the USA. At the first stages of use, this unit carried out international flights around the globe, and then began to serve flights within our country. In domestic transportation, he connected the cities of Russia both at long and short distances. In 2005-2006, Ils began to be exported overseas, namely, three cars were sold to Cuba, and one of them was a presidential class. Nowadays, domestic airlines widely use the IL-96 to transport their passengers. Also, some companies have truck models of cars in their hangars.
The most widely used Ilya in our country are two airlines - this is Aeroflot, as well as Cubana. The IL-96 has a great advantage over long distances, because it is more spacious and comfortable for passengers than its narrow-body counterparts. Passengers themselves talk about the advantages of this model over all the others.
Unfortunately, this airliner could not achieve very great popularity due to its high price and rather high fuel consumption, other economic factors also influenced this. In early 2009, aircraft designers raised the issue of withdrawing the Il-96 aircraft from mass production. This problem arose mainly due to the high competition of foreign models of passenger aircraft.
Interesting data about the Il-96 passenger aircraft
This passenger aircraft was the first aircraft with a wide fuselage, which was manufactured in the territory of the former USSR.
It is one of the safest passenger aircraft in the entire globe, since there has not been a single accident in which a person has been injured.
Two modifications of this aircraft were built under the name Il-96-300PU. It is a command post in the event of a nuclear attack. Also in this model the flight range is increased.
Many Ilam are given names. As a rule, they are named after famous pilots or astronauts.
This vessel is distinguished by its reliability, since for all the years of using these aircraft, only one of them, namely the presidential aircraft, was banned from flying, and then because of a malfunction in the landing gear.
IL-96 is the first device from the whole huge Ilov family, which can be controlled by only three people. This became possible due to the installation of the latest on-board equipment in the aircraft.
Despite the fact that today the creation of passenger aircraft of the Il-96 brand has practically been suspended, this airliner still serves faithfully to the people on the territory of our country and beyond.
IL 96-Photo
The first test prototype of the Il-96 took off on September 28, 1988. After passing 1200 hours of flight tests, in December 1992, the Il-96 received a certificate of airworthiness. The tests of the aircraft were carried out in different meteorological conditions, with a temperature range from -50 to +40, and in different climatic zones. The aircraft uses a fly-by-wire control system (EDSU). There is also a redundant mechanical control system. Information about the states of aircraft systems and flight indications is displayed on six color displays. The Il-96-300 aircraft has been in serial production since 1993. Production of the serial IL-96-300 is carried out by the Voronezh Joint-Stock Aircraft Building Company (VASO).
IL-96 Interior photo
In 1993, the Il-96 was modified and received the designation Il-96M. This modification has an elongated body, and American PW-2337 engines from Partt & Whitney are installed on the aircraft. This aircraft is capable of flying over a distance of over twelve thousand kilometers and accommodating up to 435 passenger seats.
The best seats in the IL 96-300 cabin - Aeroflot
IL 96-300 interior layout
In 2000, the IL-96 was again improved. In the new upgrade, the fuselage from Il96-M was used. This model received the designation Il96-400. This modification is equipped with PS-90A-1 turbojet engines. Each has a thrust of more than 17,000 kgf. The avionics of the aircraft have also undergone changes. The flight range of the Il96-400 is thirteen thousand kilometers. And on the basis of this model, a cargo version of the aircraft, the Il96-400T, was developed. To date, the Il96-300 models and the cargo version of the Il96-400T are in operation. The passenger version of the Il96-400 is not in operation, since there were no orders from air carriers for this version.
IL-96-300 and IL-96-400, as the name implies, are two modifications of the same aircraft, created by Russian designers. The second version was supposed to be a logical continuation of the first, but for a number of reasons it turned out to be a completely different car. Planes differ in interior, technical parameters, flight characteristics and ... fate.
Initially, these were liners for transporting passengers, respectively, over medium and long distances. But now the 300th model serves only in the presidential detachment, and the 400th ... Actually, first things first. We will consider technical characteristics, features and photographs of the IL-96-400 model.
Story
At the beginning of the 80s, the Ilyushin Design Bureau was developing a medium-range aircraft, which received the name Il-86. The machine was created according to the accepted standards of the time. Unlike the earlier 62 and some Tupolev designs, the 86's engines are on pylons under the wings. This is a wide-body aircraft with 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 on the IL-96 passenger aircraft appeared. This development should also belong to the wide-body type, but become a long-range machine. The basis of the new aircraft should be 86, but with appropriate amendments regarding speed, fuel tank capacity, and the possibility of a long flight. In 1988, the first flight tests were carried out, and in 1993 mass production began. In 2009, the production of the model was announced as unpromising. Over the years, only 22 (according to other sources 28) cars saw the light. Of the remaining in operation, it works 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 the index 300, goes to 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 aircraft was cheaper, safer, and in some respects even surpassed the designs of the Americans, domestic carriers bought the Boeing. At the same time, the motivation for such a purchase sometimes took the most ridiculous forms. For example, that there are two crew members on a Boeing, and three on an IL. Or that the Boeing is safer, although design tests of our design proved otherwise.
The detailed technical characteristics of the IL-96-300 aircraft practically repeat the 400 version, we 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 (single-cabin layout).
Birth 400
The first truck in the line was the IL-96T. He was born in 1997 as part of a Russian-American treaty. Russia provided a glider, and the Americans provided 4 engines from Pratt-Whitney (the same ones are used by Collins on-board avionics. The aircraft received a slightly lengthened fuselage, cargo equipment, and even passed certification according to American FAR25 standards. But further production was never It was on its basis that the first 400 was subsequently designed.The aircraft was equipped with Russian avionics and Russian engines.
Model 400
At the turn of the century, developers released an airliner capable of flying 500 km further, and at the same time taking 435 people on board. But the difficult financial situation in Russia practically puts an end to the passenger aircraft, however, a transport version is being designed on its basis. Passenger doors are being changed, cargo doors are being added, and in 2007 the following development of the Voronezh enterprise, IL-96-400T, is demonstrated at air shows. This is not a new development, as flight performance remains unchanged. The plane has been idle for two years, changing owners like gloves, but in 2009 the Russian company Polet became interested in the machine, and the first three aircraft are sent to it (two were assembled before 2007 and existed as experimental samples). Thus, April 23, 2009 is considered to be the date of commencement of operation. Karpov, the president of Polet, plans to increase the number of cars to 6, but in 2013 the carrier is declared bankrupt. Voronezh assembled the fourth aircraft, but, for obvious reasons, it was never bought by the company.
But another buyer, the Russian Air Force, became interested in the transport version. To date, there are rumors of 30 transport aircraft and the same number of Model 300s. Official sources from the Ministry of Defense say that the program is planned for 10 years, with the expectation that the last aircraft will be received 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 variants were released, most of which were either converted to other versions or left as a prototype. These include:
- IL-96T is the first prototype of the modern 400 model. The only copy of the entire line, for some time wearing American equipment.
- Il-96M - the second prototype. The main difference was the lengthened fuselage.
- IL-96-300 is a passenger model of a wide-body aircraft. For almost 20 years, these models were used in a limited number by Aeroflot (according to unofficial data, the company had only 6 cars on its balance sheet).
- IL-96-400 and 400T - passenger and transport aircraft models, respectively. Either up to 92 tons of luggage, or over 400 people.
- IL-96-400TZ - the model was redesigned from the previous version. The Russian Air Force became interested in the tanker. It was in this version that the 400th model was ordered for the planned replacement of IL-78.
- IL-96-550 is a prototype double-deck aircraft. Analog Whether there will be further development is not yet known.
The list specifically does not include several more models of the "PU" category (control point), these modified 300 and 400 models that serve in a separate detachment of the Rossiya airline and are referred to as "Aircraft No. 1" according to the international classification
Peculiarities
The Russian aircraft IL-96-400 in the process of creation received several features that distinguish it favorably from the aircraft of other companies.
The tanker aircraft that interested the military is a two-in-one model. placed in the fuselage, are connected to the main fuel system and are able to accommodate 62 tons of additional fuel. An aircraft can deliver this stock over a distance of 3,500 km. If there is no need for a tanker, it is easy to convert it into a regular transporter. The flight range will not change, but the cargo can be taken up to 92 tons.
The second feature of this liner concerns 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 plane was calmly landed 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;
- wingspan - 60.1 m;
- wing area - 392 sq. m;
- takeoff weight (max) - 270 tons;
- cruising speed - 850 km / h;
- ceiling - 13100 m;
- range - 10000 m;
- passenger capacity - 435 people (for one class of accommodation);
- Runway for takeoff - 2600 m, for landing - 1980 m.
Flight ban
The history of this aircraft was not without a short-term, but nevertheless brought great losses to Russian carriers, a ban on flights. The decision was made as a result of an incident in August 2005, when, when departing from Finland, the presidential plane could not 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 provide for possible failures of the units for various reasons. Hydraulics has a reserve that exceeds 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 be switched to others.
Conclusion
For a number of reasons, the IL-96-400 aircraft, originally designed as a long-range airliner, switched to military service. At the same time, due to the passenger past, the Air Force is getting a car that is capable of performing several tasks: from an ordinary transporter to an escort aircraft. Had the situation turned out differently, these steel birds would have flown across the territory of the former Soviet Union for medium and long distances. After all, the entire 96 line was originally planned as a replacement for two machines: Il-86 and Il-62.
"The program for the production of long-haul IL-96-400M and regional ones based on the IL-114 will be modest"published by the newspaper" Vedomosti",On May 27, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced plans to start production of the Il-96-400M wide-body long-haul aircraft (an upgraded version of Il-96-300) and a regional aircraft based on the Il-114 at the board of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. They will be produced by enterprises that are part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) - the Voronezh Aircraft Building Association and the Nizhny Novgorod Sokol plant, respectively.
The cost of both development programs is 50 billion rubles each. But the scale of the planned release was small.
It is planned to produce six long-haul ships, regional - a maximum of 100, a federal official and a person close to the KLA told Vedomosti. These figures were confirmed by another federal official, specifying that the number of Il-96s could be increased to eight.
Passenger aircraft Il-114 (registration RA-91014, serial number 1023823024) in the colors of the airline "Vyborg", St. Petersburg, the parking lot of the airport "Pulkovo" 04/14/2010 (c) Pavel Todenkov / russianplanes.net
Il-96-400M (more than 400 seats, production should begin in 2019) will be intended primarily for government agencies, primarily for the special flight squad "Russia", which transports top officials, two Vedomosti interlocutors say. It will not have commercial potential, as it is an outdated, fuel-inefficient aircraft, they explain. The previous modification of the Il-96-300 has not been produced since 2009. The idea is being discussed to subsidize the leasing of this aircraft so that the payment is about twice as low as for competing Boeing-777 and Airbus 330; this may be of interest to some carriers, given that fuel has fallen in price and the gain in efficiency is no longer so fundamental, the second official objects.
50-100 modernized Il-114s (designed in the 1980s) will be produced, the planned capacity is 64 seats, a federal official says. In 2019-2023 it is planned to produce 20-25 cars, and then, depending on demand, bring their number to 100, a person close to the UAC knows. Until 2019, six Il-114s located at the plant in Tashkent will be completed, a source in the UAC told Vedomosti earlier.
Now in Russia, 100-150 regional aircraft of various capacities, still Soviet-designed, are being operated, the official continues. This market has not been studied in depth, he admits, but a survey of operators revealed a need for about 50 new vessels. The IL-114 is being redesigned with a fuselage to make the aircraft lighter, and the engines will be improved, explains a person close to the KLA. If the updated version is successful, then the aircraft may have export potential, he hopes.
“With such a scale of output, no program, of course, will pay off,” the federal official argues. - But UAC has local tasks: government agencies need some of their own wide-body aircraft, domestic airlines need some regional aircraft; in addition, production capacities will be loaded. True, resources are being scattered, he adds, because these models have no further prospects, unlike the short-haul SSJ100 produced by UAC and the medium-haul MS-21 being developed - the export potential of these aircraft will help create new aircraft.
The production of Il-96 and Il-114 will be financed in the fourth quarter, subject to adjustments to the budget, a spokesman for the Ministry of Industry and Trade says. A spokesman for the KLA declined to comment.
“Aircraft only for the Russian market is a deliberately unprofitable project,” Fyodor Borisov, a leading researcher at the Institute of Transport Economics at the Higher School of Economics, is categorical. “In such projects, one must initially focus on a competitive product for the world market and making a profit, even in the conditions of a mobilization economy.” However, a regional aircraft may be in demand, he admits: the An-24s that prevail in the domestic fleet have been flying for a very long time. And it is impossible to create a wide-body aircraft based on the Il-96 that is in demand on the world market, he is sure.
