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The Last of the Mohicans: The only remaining model of the world's largest aircraft

The An-225 is the heaviest cargo aircraft ever to lift off the ground. On March 22, 1989, the An-225 flew with a load of 156.3 metric tons, beating 110 world aviation records in the process, which fact itself was a record.
By Slava Stepanov / GELIO, special to RBTH
The <a href=http://gelio.livejournal.com/> <u>AN-225</u> </a> is the heaviest cargo aircraft ever to lift off the ground. The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is 640 metric tons. The AN-225 was built to meet the need to establish an air transport system for the Soviet reusable spacecraft, Buran. Only one such plane is in existence today.
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Slava Stepanov / GELIO

The AN-225 is the heaviest cargo aircraft ever to lift off the ground. The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is 640 metric tons. The AN-225 was built to meet the need to establish an air transport system for the Soviet reusable spacecraft, Buran. Only one such plane is in existence today.
The plane was designed and built in the Soviet Union in 1988 at the Kiev Mechanical Plant. The AN-225 holds the world record for takeoff weight and carrying capacity. On March 22, 1989, the AN-225 flew with a load of 156.3 metric tons, beating 110 world aviation records in the process, a feat which was a record in itself.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

The plane was designed and built in the Soviet Union in 1988 at the Kiev Mechanical Plant. The AN-225 holds the world record for takeoff weight and carrying capacity. On March 22, 1989, the AN-225 flew with a load of 156.3 metric tons, beating 110 world aviation records in the process, a feat which was a record in itself.
Since entering service, the aircraft has clocked 3740 hours in the air. Assuming an average flight speed (including take-off, climb, cruise, descent, and landing) of around 500 km/h, it is possible to calculate the approximate distance flown: 500 x 3740 = 1,870,000 km (1,161,964 miles, or more than 46 revolutions around the Earth's equator).

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

Since entering service, the aircraft has clocked 3740 hours in the air. Assuming an average flight speed (including take-off, climb, cruise, descent, and landing) of around 500 km/h, it is possible to calculate the approximate distance flown: 500 x 3740 = 1,870,000 km (1,161,964 miles, or more than 46 revolutions around the Earth's equator).
The dimensions of the AN-225 are striking: 84 meters long, 18 meters high.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

The dimensions of the AN-225 are striking: 84 meters long, 18 meters high.
Compared to the largest Boeing, the 747-800, the AN-225 is 8 meters longer with a wingspan advantage of 20 meters.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

Compared to the largest Boeing, the 747-800, the AN-225 is 8 meters longer with a wingspan advantage of 20 meters.
Each engine operates at 12,500 horsepower in take-off mode.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

Each engine operates at 12,500 horsepower in take-off mode.
The D-18T engines of the <a href=http://gelio.livejournal.com/> <u>AN-225</u> </a> are the same as on the AN-124 Ruslan. Each engine is 3 meters long, 2.8 meters wide, and weighs more than 4 metric tons.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

The D-18T engines of the AN-225 are the same as on the AN-124 Ruslan. Each engine is 3 meters long, 2.8 meters wide, and weighs more than 4 metric tons.
The fuel weighs 365 metric tons and is contained in 13 tanks on the wings. The plane can remain airborne for 18 hours and cover a distance of more than 15,000 km. The time it takes to refuel such a machine ranges from half an hour to half a day, while the number of refuelers depends on their capacity (from 5 to 50 metric tons), i.e. 7-70 refuelers.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

The fuel weighs 365 metric tons and is contained in 13 tanks on the wings. The plane can remain airborne for 18 hours and cover a distance of more than 15,000 km. The time it takes to refuel such a machine ranges from half an hour to half a day, while the number of refuelers depends on their capacity (from 5 to 50 metric tons), i.e. 7-70 refuelers.
The plane's fuel consumption is 15.9 metric tons/hour (in cruise mode). At full load, the plane can stay in the air without refueling for no more than two hours.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

The plane's fuel consumption is 15.9 metric tons/hour (in cruise mode). At full load, the plane can stay in the air without refueling for no more than two hours.
The wheels need replacing every 90 landings. The AN-225’s tires are made at the Yaroslavl Tire Plant. The cost per tire is about $1000.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

The wheels need replacing every 90 landings. The AN-225’s tires are made at the Yaroslavl Tire Plant. The cost per tire is about $1000.
The dimensions of the cargo cabin are: length 43 m, width 6.4 m, height 4.4 m. The cargo cabin is hermetically sealed, which allows different types of freight to be transported. Inside, the cabin can accommodate 16 standard containers, up to 80 light vehicles, and even the entire body of a Boeing 737.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

The dimensions of the cargo cabin are: length 43 m, width 6.4 m, height 4.4 m. The cargo cabin is hermetically sealed, which allows different types of freight to be transported. Inside, the cabin can accommodate 16 standard containers, up to 80 light vehicles, and even the entire body of a Boeing 737.
The cargo bay is accessed via the nose of the aircraft, which opens upwards. It takes 10 minutes to open/close the cargo bay ramp.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

The cargo bay is accessed via the nose of the aircraft, which opens upwards. It takes 10 minutes to open/close the cargo bay ramp.
The technical compartment is located in the rear part of the cockpit.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

The technical compartment is located in the rear part of the cockpit.
There are six crew members: aircraft commander, copilot, navigator, senior flight engineer, aircraft equipment engineer, radio operator.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

There are six crew members: aircraft commander, copilot, navigator, senior flight engineer, aircraft equipment engineer, radio operator.
With no cargo on board, a 2400 meter runway is sufficient for take-off and landing. At its maximum weight, a distance of 3500 meters is required for take-off and 3300 meters for landing. The aircraft climbs at 560 km/h, with a vertical speed of 8 m/s.

Slava Stepanov / GELIO

With no cargo on board, a 2400 meter runway is sufficient for take-off and landing. At its maximum weight, a distance of 3500 meters is required for take-off and 3300 meters for landing. The aircraft climbs at 560 km/h, with a vertical speed of 8 m/s.
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February 3, 2014
Tags: transport, aviation, technology

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