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Tupolev Tu-204

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Template:Infobox Aircraft

The Tupolev Tu-204 is a twin-engined medium range Russian airliner capable of carrying 212 passengers. First introduced in 1989, it is considered to be broadly equivalent to the Boeing 757. It was developed for Aeroflot as a replacement for the medium range Tupolev Tu-154 trijet.

Design and development

Tu-204 was designed as a modern family of aircraft incorporating passenger, cargo, combi and quick-change variations. It is characterized by low operational cost, low noise level, and low fuel consumption. The Tupolev Tu-204 can be powered by either Aviadvigatel PS-90 or Rolls Royce RB.211 engines. It is produced at two of the largest Russian aircraft manufacturing plants in Ulianovsk and Kazan.

The Tu-204 cabin comes in several layouts, including the baseline single-class layout seating 210 passengers; a two- or three-class layout designed for 164-193 passengers, as per customer request. A cargo version of Tu-204 is being successfully operated by several airlines in Europe and Egypt.

Both economy class and business class compartments are provided with passenger seats of improved design with 3+3 and 2+2 seating arrangements, respectively. The business class cabin has a seat pitch of 810 mm. Passenger cabin can be divided into compartments according to class with removable bulkheads and curtains. Compartments are illuminated by reflected light. Hidden luminescence lights located over and under overhead bins along sides create uniform and comfortable illumination. Overhead bins for passenger baggage and coats are of closed type. Volume of baggage overhead bins per one passenger makes 0.052 m³.

In 1994, the first certificate for Tu-204 aircraft (with PS-90A engines) was issued. Subsequently issued certificates have extended estimated operational conditions and improvemed overall aircraft type design. The Tu-204-120 variant, certified with Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4 engines, complies with noise regulations described in Chapter 3 of Supplement 16 to ICAO, hence meeting all current European and ICAO requirements. It is currently undergoing the certification process with JAA.

The aircraft was certified to Russian standards AP-25 (harmonized with FAR-25 and JAR-25).

Technology

A Kavminvodyavia Airlines (KMV) Tupolev Tu-204-100 RA-64022 at Salzburg Airport

The Tu-204 is part of a new generation of Russian aircraft, including other recent developments such as the Ilyushin Il-96. The Tu-204 features many technological innovations such as:

Variants

Tu-204/204C

The Tu-204 is the basic passenger airline model, and the Tu-204C is the basic freight or cargo model. The mostly used models are the -100C and the -120C.

Tu-204-100/200

This is the initial version, powered by Soloviev (now Aviadvigatel) PS90 turbofan with thrust of 157 kN (35,300 lbf). It uses Russian powerplants and avionics. It was certified in January, 1995. The Tu-204-200 is a heavier version with extra fuel for more range. Only one has been built by Aviastar-SP in Ulyanovsk but not yet delivered (RA64036). Now this version is only produced by KAPO in Kazan and marketed under the designation Tu-214. The Tu-204-100C and Tu-204-200C are the cargo versions of the -100 and -200 respectively, fitted with forward main deck freight door. Currently the Tu-204-100/200 is offered with the option of uprated Aviadvigatel PS90-A2 turbofan, which promises 40% longer period between overhauls.

The Tu-204-100 has a maximum take-off weight of 103 metric tons and range with 196 passenger in 2-class configuration is 4,600 km (2,500 nautical miles).

Tu-204-120/220

In order to broaden the product appeal, the Tu-204-120/220 features western avionics and engines. It is powered by 2 Rolls-Royce RB211-535 engines each with thrust of 192 kN (43,100 lbf). Cairo Aviation of Egypt became the launch operator when it took delivery of a Tu-204-120 and its cargo version the Tu-120C, in November 1998. The Tu-204-220 and Tu-220C, cargo version, is a higher gross weight variant of the basic Tu-204-120.

The Tu-204-120 has a maximum take-off weight of 103 metric tons and range with 196 passenger in 2-class configuration is 4,600 km (2,500 nautical miles).

Tu-204-300

It is a shortened, longer range and more efficient derivative of the Tu-204. It is about 6 meters (20 ft) shorter than the basic Tu-204. It is available in two versions; the longer ranged heavier version powered by Aviadvigatel PS90-A2 turbofan has a maximum take-off weight of 103 metric tons and range with 166 passengers increases to 9,300 km (5,000 nautical miles) and the lighter shorter ranged version with a maximum take-off weight of 89 metric tons and range with 166 passengers is 3,500 km (1,900 nautical miles). Russian airline Vladivostok Air is the launch customer. This airline's planes are at two-class seating of 142 passengers.

Tu-204-500

This is a version of Tu-204-300 optimized for shorter routes, featuring smaller wings, increasing cruising speed to Mach 0.84, making it a competitor to Next Generation Boeing 737. It is ETOPS rated and fitted with Honeywell 331-200ER APU.

Tu-204k

This variant is a company-funded testbed for alternative fuels, flying on liquefied natural gas [1]

Tu-214

The Tu-214 at Zhukovski, 1997

Tu-214 is also a variation of Tu-204. It is technically a Tu-204-200 (see above). One of the differences is that it is built by a different factory. Planes designated Tu-204 are produced in Ulyanovsk by Aviastar-SP; Tu-214 in Kazan by Gorbunov Kazan Aircraft Production Association (aka. KAPO) [1][2]. Both factories are independent from Tupolev design bureau and have some control over the design of the variant they produce.

Main difference is full size main door at the left side of the fuselage just before the wing. Regular Tu-204 has two main doors and 2 emergency doors, Tu-214 has 3 doors and one emergency door.

In June 2007 a total of 10 Tupolev Tu-214 aircraft are in airline service with 14 further orders. Tu-214 users are: Dalavia (5), KrasAir (1) and Rossiya (3). Omskavia has firm orders for 4 aircraft[3]. Transaero has an additional 10 orders for the aircraft. This airline now operates a single Tu-214. [1]

Operators

Total users are:

Airline Aircraft Type In Service On Order
Egypt Cairo Aviation 204-120 5 0
Russia Dalavia 214 5 0
Belgium TNT Air Cargo (Operated by Cairo Aviation Cargo) 204-120C 2 0
Iran Mahan Air 204 2 3
China Air China Cargo 204-120CE 1 4
Russia Aviastar-TU Co. Ltd 204 3 0
Russia Kavminvodyavia 204-200 2 2
Russia KrasAir 3 x 204-100 / 1 x 214 3 1
Russia Rossiya 2 x 204 / 3 x 214 5 0
Russia Ilyushin Finance Company 31 x 204 0 31
Russia Vladivostok Avia 204-300 5 1
Cuba Cubana 1 x 204-100CE
2 x 204-100E
3 1[4]
North Korea Air Koryo 204-300[5] 1 1
Syria Syrian Arab Airlines° 204 0 4
Russia Transaero°°° 214 1 9
Iran Iran Air°°°° for Iran Air Tours 204-100 0 35
Egypt Sirocco Aerospace°° 204-120[6] 25 0
Germany Blue Wings[2] 204 CM 0 5
Russia Red Wings 204-100[7] 5 5
Total 66 75

° Earliest delivery is expected in 2008.
°° Egyptian leasing company.
°°° Transaero has an additional 10 orders for the aircraft. This airline currently operates a single Tu-214.[1]
°°°° Leased by Sirocco Aerospace delivery is expected in 2008.

°°°° In October 2008, it was announced by both Iran and Russia that a deal to manufacture and service up to 100 Tu-204 / 214 aircraft in Iran is being reviewed and is in the final stages

Specifications (Tu-204)

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: Tu-204-200: 212 in two classes, Tu-224/234: 166 in single class

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References