Domestic aircraft construction has always been at a very high technical level. Soviet engineers at one time created many interesting developments for both military and civilian purposes. One of the most famous aircraft of our time, which, however, was first launched back in the Soviet era, is the An-74, and we will consider the characteristics, features and main milestones of its creation in the article.
general information
This aircraft is a light, multi-purpose machine, created on the basis of the military transport modification of the An-72.
The An-74 aircraft was designed and launched within the walls of the Antonov Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex. The machine can be used in a variety of climatic zones, and the temperature range in which the aircraft will perform their functions without problems ranges from +45 to –60 degrees Celsius. It is worth noting that the aircraft was originally designed to fly in the Far North.
Scope of application
The An-74 aircraft, the description of which is given below, was produced as a multi-purpose unit and therefore it can be operated almost everywhere where it is needed. Thus, the vessel is used to service polar stations in the Arctic, to carry out passenger flights, transport injured as a result of hostilities and emergencies, conduct ice reconnaissance with the aim of exploring the shelf, and also to transport various cargoes.
In practice, the An-74 was able to demonstrate (and continues to do so today) excellent flight performance, so it is operated even in very snowy areas and on unprepared airfield sites, in high altitude conditions, to make forced flights in all weather conditions, without regard to Times of Day.
In addition, the aircraft has the power to carry out reconnaissance of fish schools, pilotage of sea vessels, to help create and maintain vital activities of drifting research stations in permafrost areas.
Historical reference
In early 1982, the Ministry of Aviation Industry of the Soviet Union made a balanced and thoughtful decision - to begin production of the An-74. As a basis, officials and engineers took a modified version of the An-72, which at that time was already in mass production. And a year later, the Council of Ministers of the USSR issued a decree on the start of the creation of the first prototype An-74 on the basis of the Kiev Mechanical Plant.
This car first flew on September 29, 1983. In the cockpit of the aircraft was then commander V. A. Shlyakhov and his assistant S. A. Gorbik.
In the summer of 1986, the aircraft was first presented to the public and society at the aviation salon, which was held in Vancouver, Canada.
In the fall of 1990, the aircraft, having not yet fully passed state tests, is subjected to operational tests at the Yakutavia airport. And a few months later the plane completed state-scale tests on the runways of Boryspil, Sochi, Ashkhabad, Sheremetyevo, etc.
Start of operation
April 1991 was marked by a serious step on the part of the Ministry of Aviation: the An-74 received official admission to work in civil aviation.
The cargo execution of the vessel makes it possible to carry cargo weighing up to 7.5 tons, including ten passengers. The cruising speed of the aircraft can be 560-700 km / h at an altitude of 10 100 meters.
An-74, if necessary, may well be converted as soon as possible into a fire-landing, ambulance or other aircraft. Moreover, the brainchild of Soviet engineers is very easy to operate and without any serious problems can be mastered by the engineering staff rather quickly.
Parameters
An-74 (its technical characteristics are still relevant today) has the following indicators:
- The wingspan is 31.89 meters.
- The length of the aircraft is 28.07 meters.
- The height of the car is 8.65 meters.
- The area of each of the wings is 98.62 square meters.
- Empty weight –18,900 kilograms.
- The maximum allowable take-off weight is 36,500 kilograms.
- Type of engines - 2 turbojet engines Progress D-36 series 2A.
- Traction index - 2x6500 kgf.
- The maximum possible speed is 750 km / h.
- Cruising speed - 580-700 km / h.
- The distillation range is 4400 km.
- The actual flight range with a load of 10 tons is 1650 kilometers.
- Range with a load of 4400 kg - 4150 kilometers.
- The maximum flight altitude is 10,100 meters.
Design Features
The configuration of the cockpit allows pilots to perfectly see everything that is happening around the ship, as well as to operate the machine at airports with fairly limited linear dimensions without any problems. Also in the cockpit are very thoughtfully and ergonomically located controls and controls that are repeatedly worked out on stands with an imitation of absolutely all flight situations.
The crew includes four people, including: navigator, flight engineer, co-pilot and commander. If necessary, an onboard transport equipment operator can still be added.
An-74 (photo of the aircraft is in the article) was created according to the high-plan scheme. The machine has two powerful engines that are installed above the wing. The tail plumage is T-shaped. The design of the vessel uses new technologies and modern materials. All this made it possible to guarantee excellent weight returns.
What else can not be indicated is the subtlety of the installation of engines. They are located with an impressive extension over the upper plane of the wing and are shifted forward, which minimizes the probability of various foreign objects getting into the power plants during take-off or landing. In addition, this engineering solution allows to increase the rate of lift of the wing.
Using a special on-board loading unit on board the aircraft, it is possible to load / unload pallets, containers and other types of containers. The capacity of the device reaches 2500 kgf. Self-propelled machinery drives in and out of an airplane on its own. If the machine is not self-propelled, then a cable loading device is used for its maintenance.
Options
An-74 airplane, the description of which is of interest to many, has the following modifications of its own:
- An-74-200. A distinctive feature of this machine is its increased take-off weight of 1.7 tons.
- An-74D. Business version of the aircraft with a passenger cabin for 19 people. In practice, only one such instance was made, and three were converted based on previously created ones.
- An-74D-200. The vessel has a cabin with a high level of comfort, and the number of passengers can reach 16. In the presence of auxiliary communications, a video system, a fridge-bar, a kitchen, a recreation area. If necessary, it is quite possible to transform the recreation zone into a compartment for transporting one passenger car.
- An-74T. Version of the aircraft, adapted for international transport.
- An-74T-200. The machine was created for military needs, and the crew is two people.
- An-74TK-100. Designed to fly with a high degree of complexity. The cabin is designed for 52 passengers. Four cars were produced, and as many were converted from older models.
- An-74TK-100S. A sanitary aircraft equipped with the latest medical equipment.
Conclusion
The geography of operation of the An-74 is very extensive. These planes, in addition to Russia and Ukraine, fly in Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Laos, Sudan, and Turkmenistan. According to 2006 data, the cost of one such machine was in the range of 17-20 million dollars. All in all, 81 units were released. The aircraft has proven itself so well in practice that it has not yet been discontinued.
For its unique appearance, the An-74 was popularly called the "Cheburashka", which is associated with engines located above the wings. Of the shortcomings of the car, passengers and crew note a fairly significant noise during the flight, however, given the high degree of safety, this negative factor does not play a decisive role.