The construction project porto Ruslana was born in Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In the earl

In early April, fans of aviation electrified information that in Katowice Airport is scheduled cargo operation using the An-124 "Ruslan". We're after, so it's worth a closer look at this interesting structure.
Ruslan is a male name of Persian origin meaning Lion, especially popular in Russia. It is no coincidence that Soviet engineers have identified as the largest, mass-produced, the aircraft world. porto
The construction project porto Ruslana was born in Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In the early years of the twentieth century, the heaviest 70 strategic freighter air forces of the Red Army was a turboprop An-22. It could carry up to 80 tons of cargo and reach a top speed of 740 km / h At this time, the U.S., the biggest opponent of the USSR in the international arena, already large, strategic jet freighter. It was a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, which came into service in 1969 and was able to take on board 122 tons of cargo and reach a top speed of 932 km / h In 1975, the CIA informants reported that the Russians are not able to match the capabilities porto of the U.S. military air transport means heavy loads for long distances. But soon the state had to change. porto
In an era of global competition USSR could not afford to get in this field lead by the U.S.. At the beginning of the 70s of the twentieth century it was decided to start design work on strategic, long-range transport jet. Commissioned them to two plants in Ulyanovsk Aviastar and Aviant in Kiev. The first test flight with registration marks Ruslan CCCP-82002 on 26 December 1982. In June 1985, the aircraft was first shown to the public at the fair Paris Air Show. A year later, the first art Ruslana went to the Red Army Air Force and Aeroflot. In subsequent years, the following number of units left the factory: 1982 - 1 pc, 1984 - 1 pc, 1985 - 1 pc, 1986 - 5 pcs, 1987 - 8 pcs, 1988 r - 8 pcs, 1989 - 4 pieces, 1990 - 6 pcs, 1991 - 4 pieces, 1992 - 3 pcs, 1993 - 5 pcs, 1994 - 3 pcs, 1995 - 2 pcs, 2000 - 1 pc, 2003 - 1 pc 2004 - 2 pcs in total 55 pieces created Ruslana.
An-124 was designed for military purposes and for the first few years after the debut was mainly used by the air forces of the Red Army. After the collapse porto of the USSR in 1991, aircraft porto began to dispose of the army. During this time, the global logistics there is a high demand for air transport of oversized loads and for the role Ruslan gave great. porto Antonov has attempted, with the aim of obtaining certification by Ruslana to civil flights. Succeeded to 30 December 1992, from this date, you can use the machine was flying commercial.
The civilian version of Ruslana received the designation An-124-100. porto It is the largest mass-produced aircraft in the world. Version of the An-124-100 is 68.96 meters long, 20.78 meters high, its wingspan is 73.3 meters. Ruslan without fuel and cargo weighs 175 tons, has a maximum takeoff weight porto is 392 tons, a cruising speed of 750 km / h It can take a maximum weight load of 120 tonnes. The range of the aircraft is dependent largely on the weight of the load. With 40 tonnes of non-stop can fly 11 500 km, with about 90 tonnes range drops to 7100 km, and the maximum load of 120 tons is 4 650 km. Crew version porto of An-124-100 is six people: two pilots, two engineers, radio operator and navigator. Typically, on board traveling from 10 to 12 loadmasterów, or load specialists. porto
In the second half of the first decade of the twenty-first century, it was possible to modernize the An-124-100-150 version of the 100M. The most important changes introduced by the Antonov is the increase in the maximum take-off weight to 405 tons and a payload of 150 tons. Increased the range of the aircraft for the transport of loads weighing 120 tons from 4 650 km to 5400 km, thanks to the modernization of the D-18T engines. Installed also include modern western avionics and a new weather radar. The changes made it possible porto to reduce the number of crew members from six to four.
An-124 is a machine double deck. On the upper deck there is a cockpit, toilet with sink, kitchen, two cabins for the rest of the crew with tables and bunks and a place for loadmasterów. porto Tail was located behind the main space of the passenger porto seats for 88 people.
The lower deck is really the heart of the An-124. The aircraft used to transport oversized cargo: all kinds of vehicles, equipment for the oil industry or power plants, etc. It can take a sea containers with a maximum weight of up to 20 tons of art. It is for this very well prepared and equipped. Cargo space at its widest point is 4.4 wide and 6.4 high. The design and dimensions of the front and rear cargo door,