Funding still required for flight this summer (450 words)

Published: 1/26/2001

The 160-seat Tu-234, (shortened Tu-204, otherwise known as the Tu-204-300) is reported as being about to perform its maiden flight in April, after a wait of almost six years, at Aviastar's plant in Ulyanovsk. According to the aircraft designer, Lev Lanovsky, AVPK Tupolev made no such announcement about the possibility of a flight in April and are actually expecting the flight to be made during the summer. Lanovsky says funding remains the principle problem for the programme. The State funding, provided by the Russian Aerospace Agency for 2001, will only provide about 10m rubles; significantly short of the 100m rubles deemed necessary for the certification of the aircraft. Hence, Tupolev is looking for additional sources of funding and has received undisclosed offers from a number of sources (including the aircraft's first customer, Kavminvody Avia). When the finances are raised, work for the flight will begin with the installation of equipment, which is necessary in order for the aircraft's completion; these include the air conditioning system, built by a joint venture of Hamilton Standard and Moscow-based NPO Nauka. If the aircraft flies in July-August 2000, Lanovsky believes it possible for Tupolev to obtain aircraft certification within 5/6 months, for a two-man crew and over-ocean flights. The aircraft will be certified under AP-25, although the more rigorous requirements of this over the previous NLGS-3 certificate, introduce the problem of funding more tests to meet the standards. Looking forward to certification under JAR-25, it appears that the Tu-204-120 will be the first aircraft in the family to be submitted, at a reported cost of $3m (which is apparently being funded by Dr Kamal's Sirocco International). Tom Smith, the President of London-based Sirocco, which is responsible for the marketing of the Tu-204-120, was reluctant to be drawn on the cost of certification, saying only that the $3m reflected the “ballpark costs” of a very long-term programme. In response to the question - who was paying for the process? - Smith stated that “Tupolev was making the application”, which Sirocco was supporting, as part of a four-year “collective effort”. Smith added that, the four, Rolls Royce powered, Tu-204-120s (3 passenger and 1 cargo) currently operating out of Egypt, are performing well - with 99% reliability over the last few months. They were garnering interest from “half a dozen” potential customers in Europe; given the expected completion of the certification process by the end of 2001. He added that primary interest was expected from cargo operators, drawn by the relative attractiveness of the new aircraft over aging passenger conversions. Smith said that the intention of Sirocco was to promote all of the Tu-204 family, but they were currently focussed on the Tu-204-120.

Article ID: 2325