"Tu-204" is a medium-range jet passenger aircraft. This unit was developed in the 80s in the Tupolev Design Bureau Department. With the help of it, the creators intended to replace the obsolete Tu-154 at that time. There are various modifications of this aircraft: VIP version, passenger, cargo and special. The Tu-204 aircraft meets all safety, emission and noise standards, so these models can be operated all over the world. More on this later.
Design
The Tu-204 aircraft is a cantilever monoplane of the normal design. Its swept wings are set quite low. Its two turbojet engines are mounted on special pylons. Their locations are under the wings. This gives the model a unique style. Winglets are located at the end of each wing. ithelps to reduce the inductive resistance and increase the lifting force. In addition, they are equipped with double-slotted flaps. These are important elements. Also here are the slats. They regulate the bearing properties of a given aircraft. They are located along the leading edge of the wing. The landing gear has three supports and a nose strut. The power plant includes RB211-535E4 or 2 PS-90A turbofan engines
History
After the Russian civil aviation had been operating the Tu-154 aircraft for 2 years, in 1973 the Design Bureau Department began to work on a future replacement for this model. At first, a proposal was put forward to deeply modernize the Tu-154 and develop many layouts and various new schemes. In the end, the scientists opted for a three-engine model with a wide fuselage, which they called the TU-204 aircraft.
This project was approved by the government in 1981. However, during this process, the designers decided to abandon the tail engine. After that, the project was reworked. As a result, the current image of the planned aircraft emerged.
During the development, scientists actively applied innovative design methods, using electronic computers. In order to find the optimal aerodynamic layout in certain special tubes, they had to check dozens of mock-ups. In addition, to reduce the weight and increase the strength of this unit, composite materials were used. sharetheir mass in the specified model is at least 14%.
When the design was completed, the TU-204 aircraft began to be mass-produced at the Ulyanovsk Aviation Industrial Complex named after D. F. Ustinov. This is a reliable fact. And the first Tu-204 aircraft, reviews of which were positive, was built in Moscow in a community with an experimental significant production of the ASTC named after. A. N. Tupolev and UAPK.
Tests
2 prototypes were involved in this process. Special on-board systems of this model were tested on many stands.
In early January 1989, the initial flight of the indicated aircraft took place. The Tu-204 aircraft took off from the Ramenskoye airfield. Based on the results of the tests carried out, some improvements were made to the design. Namely, the production technology was improved. At the same time, considerable attention was paid to working out new digital systems. Carefulness in this regard led to a positive result. Specialists have developed 23 variants of the onboard automatic control system using the steering wheel. And each has been tested for reliability and numerous flight tests. All this took a long time. In addition, at that time, economic difficulties began in the state. This led to the fact that funding for the program was reduced. As a result, the terms for obtaining the necessary documents and tests were increased.
In the 90s, the budget financing of this project was completely stopped. This led to the suspension of certification tests, and the aircraftThe Tu-204, which still had to undergo operational research, was waiting in the wings.
As already mentioned, due to the fact that in the 90s the economic situation in the state deteriorated sharply, the flight test budget was practically zeroed. In order to complete this work, scientists had to take extraordinary steps. For example, they agreed to transport goods for a fee. At the same time, the tests were carried out in parallel with commercial flights. This made it difficult to complete the financing of the project. After diligent efforts, scientists managed to obtain the necessary certificate in 1994.
Operation
At the end of February 1996, the first flight of the new specified aircraft was carried out on a commercial basis. The Tu-204 aircraft was flying by Vnukovo Airlines from the capital to Mineralnye Vody.
It was assumed that the "Tu-204" should replace the "Tu-154". However, a sudden drop in funding for the aircraft industry led to disruption in the development of aircraft, and this reduced the speed of production. The result is a small number of models from aviation companies, the high cost of spare parts and maintenance, and frequent downtime. All this led to a drop in the competitiveness of this aircraft, especially in comparison with the Western Airbus-320 and Boeing-737, which turned out to be more economical to operate and cheaper.
In the 2000s, at least 10 models were released every year. As a rule, government agencies were their consumers.
From the moment the serialproduction, namely since 1990, 75 Tu-204 aircraft of various variations saw the light. In February 2013, only 50 air units of this family were actively operated.
Prospects
Initially, the Tu-204 was very unlucky in this respect. According to the preliminary plan of the designers, it was to be mass-produced, and it was for its production that a completely new plant was built, located in Ulyanovsk. However, as noted above, after the collapse of the USSR, much less funds began to be allocated to the needs of the aviation industry. The market economy has replaced the planned one. As a result of this, Tu-204 aircraft replaced used Western-made aircraft. In addition, over time, the model has become outdated in many respects. One of the reasons why it was no longer used was that the Tu-204 crew consists of 3 people, while most modern aircraft need only 2. This entails additional costs for the maintenance of pilots.
Now about 10 of these models are produced per year. At the same time, as a rule, they are popular in the Arctic Ocean "Russia" and the Air Force. Due to the fact that the Ulyanovsk and Kazan Aviation Plants cannot establish mass production and special maintenance, Tu-204 aircraft are not in significant demand among most companies. Nevertheless, according to experts, the latest MS-21 model is able to compete with the foreign Boeing-737. According to recent information,Major carriers such as Red Wings and Transaero have often reported that they are interested in purchasing this type of air units. This suggests that the Tu-204 aircraft is quite in demand, expert reviews of which indicate that it is too early to rank it as a past stage of aircraft design. UAC and the Ministry of Industry and Trade invest considerable sums in these projects, which exist only on paper. These include MS-21, which is expected to enter the line only in 2020.
Description of the technical characteristics of the aircraft "Tu-204"
In this case, the following is taken into account:
- Crew - 3 people
- Two turbofan engines - PS-90A.
- The wingspan/area is 42.0m/184.17m².
- Aircraft length/height size - 46.0/13.9 m.
- Weight: takeoff (maximum) / empty - 94,600 kg / 58,300 kg.
- Payload 21,000 kg.
- Cruising speed is 830 km/h.
- Practical ceiling – 12,100 m.
- The maximum range is 2900 km.
- Presence of 16,140 kgf thrust.
- Weight: maximum takeoff/landing - 94.6t/47t; curb model – 58, 3 t.
- Commercial payload is 21t.
- Flying range up to 3700 km.
Modifications
Currently, there are several variations of the specified air unit. Each of them was carefully worked out by the creators in order to obtain the desired result. Let's take a look at them a bit.more.
Tu-204
As mentioned above, the takeoff weight of this basic version is 94.6 tons. For the first time, this Tu-204 aircraft, the photo of which is provided in this text, took off on August 17, 1990). In addition, a cargo version of the model was developed. The scheme of the aircraft "TU-204" is the most developed by the designers. The commercial load of this equipment does not exceed 30 tons.
Tu-204-100
This variant has PS-90A engines and Russian avionics. Its effectiveness is quite high. This is an essential fact. The cabin of the Tu-204-100 aircraft can accommodate 210 passengers. This aircraft was certified in the winter of 1995.
Tu-204-200
This model is a modification of Tu-204-100. This aircraft is equipped with additional fuel tanks, which are necessary for a longer flight range. In addition, the specialists of the Ulyanovsk plant "Aviastar" built only one specified unit with the tail number RA-64036. Now this model is being produced in Kazan.
Tu-204-120
"Tu-204-120" and "Tu-204-220" are respectively modifications of "Tu-204-100" and "Tu-204-200". They are equipped with Western avionics and RB211-535E4 engines (2 × 19,500 kgf) - British-made Rolls-Royce. This innovation was made in order to expand the consumer properties of the model, which first took to the air in August 1992. Foreign deliveries of the charter airline Cairo Aviaton to Egypt have been carried out on this aircraft since 1998. Afterof this, the indicated Tupolev aircraft, the photo of which is available in this text, were delivered to China. The cockpit of this model is made in the English version. This facilitates deliveries to other states. For the first time in the history of the Russian aircraft industry, this air unit was certified in accordance with certain European standards.
Tu-204-300
This model (previously - Tu-234) is shortened by 6 meters in comparison with the basic specific fuselage. This aircraft can accommodate no more than 162 passengers, but initially it was supposed to accommodate 142. The seats on the TU-204-300 aircraft are divided as follows: 8 business class and 134 economy class. This implementation is important. This emphasizes the peculiar style of this modification of the Tu-204. The best seats, of course, will be in business class. This unit was developed in three variations. Their flight range is 9250, 7500 and 3400 km. As a result, the Tu-204-300 was recognized as the first aircraft with two engines that can fly from the capital of the Russian Federation to Vladivostok without stops. The maximum takeoff weight of this aircraft is 107.5 tons. This model is equipped with: the domestic avionics complex KSPNO-204 and two PS-90A engines. The Tu-204-300 first flew into the air in August 2003, after which it was demonstrated at the MAKS-2003 aerospace show. It was certified on May 14, 2005. Its mass production was launched at the Ulyanovsk plantAviastar.
Tu-204-300A
These civil aviation aircraft are used for administrative transportation over a distance not exceeding 9600 km. The model can accommodate only 26 passengers. Fuel refueling - 42 t.
Tu-206
This aircraft is still being developed by experts. It is interesting that in this apparatus liquefied natural gas is used as a fuel. These aircraft began to be produced on the basis of such an aircraft as the Tu-204-100. One of the main problems in this case is the placement of vessels with blue fuel, which requires a considerable volume.
Tu-214
This model is a modification of Tu-204. The maximum takeoff weight of this unit was increased to 110.75 tons, and the size of the payload - up to 25.2 tons. The cargo modification aircraft was certified in accordance with the Russian AP-25 standards, which are harmonized with Western FAR-25 and JAR -252. Serial production has been established in the Kazan Aviation Association named after A. I. S. P. Gorbunova. The first takeoff of this model took place in 1989. These aircraft of the civil aviation of the USSR were launched into the stream only in 1997. That is, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In April 2010, this aircraft began to be produced exclusively in special equipment. However, they stopped creating it in a commercial version, as it was unprofitable. Although a major carrier, Transaero, became interested in purchasing this unit.
Tu-204SM
This is a deeply improved aircraft "Tu-204". In comparison with the Tu-204-100, its maximum take-off weight has increased significantly. Also in this model, the avionics were updated. Because of this, the number of crew was reduced to two people, reducing the seats on the TU-204 aircraft and leaving the ship without an onboard engineer. This is done in accordance with world practice for models of this class.
In addition, the Tu-204SM aircraft has undergone some changes.
- Modernization of PS-90A2 turbofan engine. This was accompanied by a decrease in the cost of the life cycle and an increase in the overhaul and assigned resources of units and main elements (for the hot part - 10,000 cycles, and for the cold - up to 20,000).
- Updated APU "TA-18-200". In this case, the launch and operation altitude was increased. New equipment has been introduced that performs the necessary functions that meet certain advanced and modern requirements of ICAO and European control.
- Chassis upgraded. In the design of this part, all aspects that correspond to the resource of the airframe were taken into account.
- The aircraft cabin has been improved.
- Reduced crew to 2 pilots.
- The general aircraft assembly control system (SUOSO) has already been developed and is awaiting installation. Maintenance and diagnostics have also been improved.
- Upgraded systems: energy saving, hydraulic, fuel and air conditioning.
At the end of December 2010, the flight test of the TU-204SM fell. It was carried out by the honored test pilot Viktor Minashkin. This processpassed safely. However, the tests of this updated aircraft were carried out with a slight delay. At a press conference, the general director of the aviation plant, Sergei Dementiev, told the audience that a test flight of this model was scheduled for December 17, 2010. However, he stressed that the work on assembling this type of aircraft is on schedule.
Aviastar-SP is planning to manufacture 44 Tu-204SM aircraft by 2016, intended for the large enterprise Red Wings Airlines. According to preliminary information, at least $1.8 billion has been allocated to finance this project.
In mid-January 2012, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia spoke at the famous Ulyanovsk aircraft building enterprise called Aviastar-SP. According to Dmitry Rogozin, the certification of the new Tu-204SM passenger aircraft will end in June, and from the middle of the year it will be possible to talk about its serial production.
Result
After reading the above, everyone can have an exact idea of what the described aircraft is and what variations exist. In general, Tupolev aircraft fully comply with certain standards. Currently, air units of this family are in considerable demand. The technical and flight characteristics of the vehicles of this type are at the proper level. However, the developers do not stop there and continue to improveaircraft of this type.
