Tupolev speeds up Tu-334 trials to get aircraft into production

Published: 11/3/1999

According to Igor Kalygin, General Designer for Tupolev, the trials of a 102-seat Tu-334 prototype are being stepped up. So far 25 flights have been made, with at least three flights a day and a maximum flight time of 3.5 hours. Kalygin claims that a total of 1200 test flights should be made before the plane is put on the production line and estimates that the completion of aircraft prototypes and flight and certification tests will cost at least $70-90m. The company says that at an estimated $15-20m, the brand new Tu-334 will cost significantly less than the similar $36m Boeing 717 plane. As has become the norm for the manufacturers of Russia's regional aircraft, the demand for the aircraft originally designed to replace the Tu-134 could exceed 1000 aircraft, as over 800 Tu-134s were built. It seems at times however, that it fails to register with the designers that the current situation of Russia and more efficient aircraft may see the simple aircraft for aircraft equation severely challenged. Also that the issue of aircraft purchase is not relevant when put alongside cost of ownership including lease costs. The production lines will be set up at Moscow-based MAPO and at Aviant, in the Ukraine.

Article ID: 1038