newstodate.aero
Mar 22, 2018 (newstodate): The giant freighter AN-225 Mriya has been in for an upgrading of its avionics and other systems, performing its first test flight this month.
Operated by Antonov Airlines, the aircraft was brought to an altitude of 12 km for test of systems, with positive results, according to the operator.
The aircraft has been out of service for 18 months, but will now resume services on a flight to Asia by early April.
Built in 1988, the AN-225 remains the world's largest aircraft even after the introduction of the Airbus A380, offering the unsurpassed capacity of lifting up to 250 tonnes of outsize air cargo over 4,000 km, and requiring 3,500 m runway to lift off with full loads.
Only one AN-225 has so far been completed, but the manufacturer in Ukraine is ready to complete assembly of the second unit, left 70 percent complete but without funding for the expensive completion.
Operated by Antonov Airlines, the aircraft was brought to an altitude of 12 km for test of systems, with positive results, according to the operator.
The aircraft has been out of service for 18 months, but will now resume services on a flight to Asia by early April.
Built in 1988, the AN-225 remains the world's largest aircraft even after the introduction of the Airbus A380, offering the unsurpassed capacity of lifting up to 250 tonnes of outsize air cargo over 4,000 km, and requiring 3,500 m runway to lift off with full loads.
Only one AN-225 has so far been completed, but the manufacturer in Ukraine is ready to complete assembly of the second unit, left 70 percent complete but without funding for the expensive completion.