Antonov An-218
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| Antonov An-218 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Widebody airliner |
| Manufacturer | Antonov |
| Status | Project abandoned |
| Number built | 0 |
The Antonov An-218 was a proposal by the Antonov Design Bureau for a widebody commercial airliner. A twin-engined design, it was intended to carry approximately 350 passengers.
The first flight was initially scheduled for 1994. Due to severe economic conditions the project was abandoned. Only a full-scale wooden replica of the An-218 was built, but eventually it was disassembled.[citation needed]
After achieving independence, Ukraine organised a programme calling for the development of commuter and regional turboprop aircraft.[a][1] Nicknamed the "Ukrainian Airbus",[2], the Antonov An-218 was designed to challenge the Airbus A330.[3] Despite their similarities, the An-218 was slightly smaller than the A330.[4]
Development first began in 1991,[5] and it was first announced at the 1991 Paris Air Show.[6] The aircraft was heavily advertised both domestically and internationally; a full-scale replica of the fuselage was constructed for photo ops with models and politicians.[7] Jornal do Brasil had reported that the aircraft would fly in 1994 but that "economic changes in the Soviet Union could alter the initial plans".[8] In 1993, as production was about to commence, the project was frozen.[7] By March 1994, the An-218 only existed as a "full-size wooden mock-up, with a false control panel and paper views of pine forests in place of inflight television screens."[9] By 1995, the aircraft's first flight was scheduled for 1996, although its development had been deferred.[6] The following year, it was reported that the aircraft had reportedly been discontinued the year prior, with production having been expected to begin as early as 1997.[10]
Funding for the country's project was lacking, with projects only receiving 10% of the required amount. In addition, the projects had failed to attract commercial investors; the An-218 and An-180 were subsequently abandoned.[1] The aircraft's mockup was reportedly dismantled in 2007 after staying in one of Antonov's hangars.[7]
Specifications (An-218-100, as designed)
General characteristics
- Crew: two (flight deck)
- Capacity: 300/350/400 passengers
- Length: 59.79 m (196 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 50 m (164 ft 1 in)
- Height: 15.7 m (51 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 270 m2 (2,900 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 90,000 kg (198,416 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 170,000 kg (374,786 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Progress D-18T1 high bypass turbofan, 250 kN (57,000 lbf) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 870 km/h (540 mph, 470 kn)
- Range: 11,500 km (7,100 mi, 6,200 nmi)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
