Aerospace

World’s biggest plane Antonov An-225 to be built again, design work for the aircraft begins

Ukraine begins work on a new Antonov An-225.

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One of the most significant losses to the Ukrainian aviation industry during the initial stages of the Russia-Ukraine war was the Antonov An-225, the largest aircraft in the world. The development of a second Antonov An-22 cargo aircraft has been announced by Antonov. The company stated on social media platforms that “currently, design works in this direction have begun.”

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The manufacturer Antonov shared the information on Twitter with the following statement: “In the presentation of information with reference to the acting of the General Director of the “ANTONOV” State Enterprise regarding the construction of the new “Mriya,” published by the “Bild” publication and some Ukrainian mass media, an error was admitted.” They clarified, “At this time, design work has started in this direction.”

However, there are many issues surrounding the building of a new Antonov An-225. The funding required to construct the plane is the main issue following the ongoing conflict. According to Antonov, the company will require around 500 million euros to construct the largest plane ever.

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When the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, the airplane was being stored at Hostomel Airport, the location of the Antonov Company. The airport, which is close to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, was attacked on the first day of the invasion. Russian paratroopers were supposedly sent to the area to create a bridgehead so that more troops could be airlifted in. Mriya suffered severe damage during the conflict for Hostomel’s control.

The An-225’s second unfinished airframe, which was initially intended for ground testing, was kept at Hostomel. Its current location is unknown.

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Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.