Aviation

Russia to Welcome Another Addition to Its Fleet: The Ilyushin Il-114-300 Turboprop Aircraft

Ongoing sanctions against Russia have posed significant challenges in managing airline passengers due to limitations in the available aircraft fleet. To address this issue, Russia has initiated the revitalization of aerospace projects previously dedicated to passenger planes, repurposing them to meet domestic aviation demands.

Airlines have already completed construction across all segments of the aircraft, with a focus on models produced by United Aircraft Corporation such as the MC 21 and Sukhoi Superjet 100, which are currently vital to the country’s aviation industry. Additionally, the Illyushin 114 aircraft is set to join this roster, further bolstering Russia’s aviation capabilities.

Ilyushin Il-114-300 reintroduced in 2016

The Ilyushin Il-114 (Russian Илью́шин Ил-114) is a twin-engine turboprop airliner developed in Russia for local routes. It was designed as a replacement for the Antonov An-24 and made its first flight in 1990. A total of 20 Il-114s were initially constructed.

Production of the Il-114 spanned from 1992 to 2012. However, recognizing the significance of turboprop aircraft, efforts were made to enhance its development. Consequently, in 2016, it was reintroduced.

Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, a subsidiary of "Rostec") has resumed the flight test program of the Ilyushin Il-114-300, as per the reports in Russian media.

The maiden flight of the second experimental aircraft took place from the Voronin airfield in the Moscow… pic.twitter.com/99VpJvrzBI
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) March 31, 2024

The company announced plans to restart production with entirely Russian components, scheduling a new maiden flight in 2019 and aiming for the first commercial aircraft to enter service by 2021.

Ilyushin Il-114-300 Experimental flight test

Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of “Rostec,” has resumed the flight testing of the Ilyushin Il-114-300, according to reports from Russian media.

The second experimental aircraft conducted its maiden flight from the Voronin airfield in the Moscow region. Lasting 40 minutes, the flight operated at altitudes up to 900 meters and reached a maximum speed of 230 kilometers per hour.

The Il-114-300 is an upgraded version of the Il-114, initially developed from 1986 to 1990 to enhance regional connectivity. It is set to replace the outdated Antonov An-24 on domestic flights within Russia.

Following a plan announced in June 2022, aimed at increasing the proportion of domestically produced aircraft to 80% of the Russian fleet by the end of the decade due to international sanctions after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, around 70 Il-114-300s are anticipated to be manufactured by the decade’s end.

Featuring a crew of two and a passenger capacity of up to 64 individuals, the Il-114-300 measures 26.88 meters in length, with a wingspan of 30.00 meters and a height of 9.19 meters. It has a wing area of 81.90 square meters and an aspect ratio of 11:1. The aircraft’s empty weight is 15,000 kilograms, with a maximum takeoff weight of 23,500 kilograms. It can carry 8,780 liters of fuel.

Equipped with two Klimov TV7-117S turboprop engines, each producing 1,839 kilowatts of power, the Il-114-300 achieves a maximum speed of 500 kilometers per hour and a cruise speed of 470 kilometers per hour. It boasts a range of 1,000 kilometers with a full passenger load.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

British Airways Unveils Its Brand-New First Class Cabin for the Airbus A380

This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

Etihad Airways Unveils 10 Exciting New Routes for 2025

In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.