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Antonov An-148s Make 110th Flight as Le Bourget Opens
This year Ukrainian Antonov Design Bureau can’t show its new 80-seat Antonov An-148 regional jets. The two flying prototypes of the An-148 commuter jet are undergoing a tough test program, and one of them will make the model’s 110th flight on the eve of the Paris Air Show, said Dmitry Kiva, Antonov’s first deputy general designer.
The first An-148-100 twinjet was rolled out in late 2004, and in April it was joined by a second flying prototype. In May the company built a third aircraft, which now is used for statistic tests. The first one was already cold tested in northern Russia, and the second prototype (its passenger cabin is equipped with 85 leather seats) will soon be hot weather tested, perhaps in Iran or Kazakstan, said Kiva.
Flights have so far averaged about 2 to 2.5 hours. To date, both aircraft have performed about 500 flying hours. After completion of a 600-flight test program, the Ukrainian company aims to obtain a Russian AP-25 type certificate, scheduled for February or March 2006.
Such a pace is needed to start serial production, since in 2006 and 2007 first deliveries are scheduled for Russian airline KrasAir. In April the carrier placed its first firm order for 10 aircraft with an option for five more. At least two other customers still need to convert their LOIs into firm orders.
The aircraft will be produced in cooperation with Russian companies: Kiev-based Aviant is constructing the wings, and Voronezh-based VASO (manufacturer of the Ilyushin Il-96 long-haul transport) has launched production of an initial batch of five An-148s.
-- Artem Fetisov
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