Ilyushin Il-86

Russia

Medium range widebody airliner

Russia's first widebody airliner, the Il-86 has endured a very chequered career. It has suffered from poor fuel economy, reports of failing to meet its design range, and has been produced in only relatively modest numbers. Il-86 development was announced at the 1971 Paris Airshow. But a protracted development program followed and the first examples did not enter service until almost a decade later in late 1980. Antonov, Tupolev and Ilyushin were all asked to respond to Aeroflot's requirement for a widebody airliner, with Ilyushin's design proving successful. The Il-86 initially was similar in configuration to the narrowbody Il-62, with four rear mounted turbofans and a Ttail. However the same problems that affects most Ttail designs such as poor low speed handling, plus the heavy structural weight needed to support the four engines caused a rethink, resulting in the adoption of a conventional tail and under wing mounted engine configuration. Although a conventional design, one unusual feature of the Il-86 is that - where airport aerobridges are not provided - passengers can board the aircraft via airstairs leading to a lower deck baggage stowage area, before climbing a fixed internal staircase to the main passenger cabin. The Il-86 was first unveiled in prototype form in 1976. The first of two prototypes flew for the first time on December 22 1976, while the first production aircraft flew on October 24 1977. Airline service began in December 1980 (Aeroflot had previously hoped to have it in service in time for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games). About 100 had been built when production ended in 1994. Plans to equip the Il-86 with CFM International CFM56 turbofans to dramatically improve fuel economy, range and reducing noise levels to within ICAO Stage 3 limits have been discussed at various times, but the cost of such an upgrade has so far has proved prohibitive.

Four 127.5kN (28,660lb) KKBM (Kuznetsov) NK86 turbofans.

Max cruising speed 950km/h (513kt), typical cruising speed between 900km/h (485kt) and 950km/h (513kt). Design range with 40 tonne (88,185lb) payload 3600km (1945nm), with max fuel 4600km (2480nm).

Max takeoff 208,000kg (458,560lb).

Wing span 48.06m (157ft 8in), length 59.94m (195ft 4in), height 15.81m (51ft 10in). Wing area 320m2 (3444sq ft).

Flightcrew of three comprising two pilots and flight engineer, with provision for a navigator. Max seating for 350 at nine abreast. Mixed two class seating for 234 comprising 28 six abreast in forward cabin and 206 eight abreast in other two cabins. Lower deck freight holds can accommodate up to 16 standard LD3 containers if some lower deck carry on baggage racks are omitted.

103 built (including four military command posts). Appoximately 90 were in service in late 1998, all with Russian and CIS operators and one Chinese airline.

Ilyushin Il-86