Would you be comfortable flying in a Russian built airliner?

[Ockie]

So...I was browsing airliners on wikipedia again...one of my fav timer passers...and came across this new Russian airliner in development (currently busy with test flights etc)

Tu-204SM

The Tu-204SM is medium-range airliner, with a seating capacity of 210 passengers, and 174 in a two-class layout. The plane targets the low-cost carrier market. This plane has been upgraded to meet relevant, and future Russian/International safety requirements, including new ICAO and Eurocontrol standards which includes all environmental parameters, noise, and emission levels.

The Tu-204SM will have a compact airframe. However the Tu-204SM will feature many design and aerodynamic similarities to the Tu-204-100/100E/100V. The aircraft's flight navigation system and avionics will permit a two-pilot crew.

The Tu-204SM is an upgraded variant of the Tu-204-100/300[16][17] upgrades include new TA-18 APU-200, new equipment, improved streamlining, and general aerodynamic design with improved interiors. An advanced Flight Control System equipment (ASO-204/FMS) with automatic on board system maintenance and diagnostics will be featured. The cockpit is automated with wide LCD displays, and Heads-Up Displays (HUD). There will be improvements in power systems (APU), control, fire safety, fuel management and hydraulic systems, and the aircraft's certification is expected to take place in 2011.

The Tu-204SM will implement an "E-Pilot" concept, and feature[16][17] new flight control and navigation equipment, a new VSUPT-85-204 computer, a new throttle management system, and a SCD-100-1 Computer Flight Management System. There will also be these following upgrades so the aircraft would be in compliance with international requirements and P-RNAV. The upgrades are a new system for measuring SIVD data, and a modern airplane equipment control system. It will also feature a KSEIS-204E electronic display and warning system. To also help simplify aircraft operations all controls are produced in English.

The uppgrades to passenger/interior accommodations includes[16][17] new luggage shelves and under-floor compartment for large trunks, multi-colored LED lighting, sound-absorbing structures in the passenger cabin, audio and video displays for in-flight entertainment.

The Tu-204SM will feature advanced, and upgraded PS-90A2 engines,[18] a unified twin-spool turbofan engine with a high bypass ratio. The PS-90A2 has a life cycle cost decreased by 35% with simultaneous increase in reliability by 50 to 100%.

The PS-90A2 will pass AP-33 aviation standards certification, harmonized with FAR Part 33 and JAR33. The price for one Tu-204SM is estimated at $40–47 million

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-204

I have two questions:

1. Would you guys feel safe in one of these...considering that it meets all international safety standards?

2. Why is it that not more airlines are getting this baby? Her estimated cost is $40 - 47$ million. The equivalent Boeing 737 -800 is $80 million and carries only 5 more passengers for double the price???????????????

Why dont our local low cost carriers like kulula, 1Time and Velvet Sky jump at this? They are always moaning about the cost of airliners and they waiting for low cost second hand ones to come along! Freaking hell, here is a brand spanking new airliner for what you would likely pay for a second hand, 15 year old Boeing 737. Am I missing something here?

What do you guys think? Can you guys explain this to me?

Even better is this beauty...the Bombardier C Series. About 140 passengers...also for much cheaper ($46 million) than the Boeing 737? Damn...1Time should put me in charge of revamping their fleet! Are they sleeping over there? lolz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_CSeries



Rosaudio....would love to hear your input on this too.

Anyways...I know most of the guys here are petrol heads and dont really care about airliners etc...but I am hoping to be surprised :-)

[Jola]

I have flown in an old Tupolev before (in China), and I must admit that I was quite nervous.

But if this plane gets all the certifications I would fly in it.

[copacetic]

So...I was browsing airliners on wikipedia again...one of my fav timer passers

You are one ****ing weird dude.

*edit*

This is not an insult, before some idiot reports me again.

[ponder]

No problem, throw in a russian pilot for good measure, some vodka and we're up up and away.

More
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-96
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Superjet_100

[Lounger]

What makes them seem unsafe is their crash record. Once must remember that there are a huge number of Russian aircraft in service and many long past their design life. Also, companies don't always service them well in Africa for instance.

The USA likes to dominate the passenger airline market. Look at how Airbus had to struggle to get a good hold in the market. They even struggle to get military contracts even when Boeing is not the best design.

American airlines are numerous and they like to buy American (patriotism).

I quite like the Sukhoi Superjet. That would do well in our local market.

[Ockie]

You are one ****ing weird dude.

*edit*

This is not an insult, before some idiot reports me again.

Why thank you!

Check out this cockpit of the Bombardier C Series guys! ITS SO PRETTTYYYY!!!!!

If I was one of our airlines I would buy it just for the cockpit! I did not know the Canadians can do beautiful designs like this! *grin*



Compared to that....Boeing SUCKS donkie ballas! :-)

[Ockie]

What makes them seem unsafe is their crash record. Once must remember that there are a huge number of Russian aircraft in service and many long past their design life. Also, companies don't always service them well in Africa for instance.

The USA likes to dominate the passenger airline market. Look at how Airbus had to struggle to get a good hold in the market. They even struggle to get military contracts even when Boeing is not the best design.

American airlines are numerous and they like to buy American (patriotism).

I quite like the Sukhoi Superjet. That would do well in our local market.

Very very true. But for our local market I think these jets are perfect and so much cheaper. It could really help us get our air travel up and make it really really affordable.

I have seen the Sukhoi Superjet. It also looks rather cute. The passenger count is a bit low though for the price. Does not compete with the Tuplev equally i think.

[Ockie]

And another interesting fact that I read a week or so ago...Ryanair has basically given Boeing and Airbus the middle finger because of their high costs.....Ryanair is now looking towards China nogal for their fleet renewal.

In February 2011 Ryanair announced discussions with Comac about the purchase of the aircraft.[15] Ryanair will receive the last of the Boeing 737-800 from their current orders in 2012, and have no order placed thereafter. By this time they will have over 300 of this aircraft type. They withdrew from negotiations with Boeing and Airbus in 2009 as they were unhappy with the prices offered. In June 2011 Michael O'Leary of Ryanair announced the company had signed an agreement to help develop the aircraft. O'Leary indicated Ryanair would share its experience and expertise to assist Comac developing the new C919 commercial aircraft, with up to 200 seats, which would enable Ryanair to lower its costs.[16]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comac_C919

[Gambit]

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't the Russians the only ones with a space craft that is capable of transporting crew to and from the International Space Station. So their planes surely can't be that bad.

[Lupus]

I'd love it if we actually looked towards Russian airliners, even their fighter jets, prices are half of the American ones. Even the Grippen costs more then some of the better Russian ones.

Sent from my U20i using MyBroadband Android App

[Ockie]

I'd love it if we actually looked towards Russian airliners, even their fighter jets, prices are half of the American ones. Even the Grippen costs more then some of the better Russian ones.

Sent from my U20i using MyBroadband Android App

Dont laugh...but I actually emailed my suggestion to 1Time. I told them that it is high time they start replacing those out dated and ancient, and not to mention fuel guzzling MD airliners. I listed the Tu-204 and Bomardier CSeries as options.

Here is the mail i sent them:

Good day. I would like to make suggestion. Please would you consider
undergoing a fleet renewal program. I realize that your current fleet
of MD's have served you well....but they really are terribly old and out
dated now. I cant even imagine the amount of fuel they guzzle compared
to newer and more modern jets.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Tupolev Tu-204SM (Capacity of about 200 passengers for about $40
Million.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu-204

2. Bombardier C300 (Capcity of about 145 passengers -dense
configuration for about $47 Million)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_CSeries

Compared to Boeing and Airbus these jets are very affordable and brand
new!

I hope you will start considering doing at least some kind of fleet
renewal. And this email shows there are other options out there apart
from expensive Boeing and Airbus jets.

Kind Regards

Oh well...worth a shot hey. hehehe

:-)

[Freshy-ZN]

What about Embraer? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embraer_195#E-190.2F195

[Fudzy]

I flew Virgin Nigeria once. The seat instructions were in Russian and the pilot sounded like a Red Alert extra. Very pretty hostesses but I believe the airline has now closed down.

[lancon]

If their weapons is anything to go by,(AK-47, ZSU-23), then yes I,ll get in and fly.

[Lupus]

Dont laugh...but I actually emailed my suggestion to 1Time. I told them that it is high time they start replacing those out dated and ancient, and not to mention fuel guzzling MD airliners. I listed the Tu-204 and Bomardier CSeries as options.

Here is the mail i sent them:



Oh well...worth a shot hey. hehehe

:-)

No laughing matter, someone's got to try get them to see that there are other possibilities out there. I had a dream once, really weird one where somehow or other I got put in charge of our defense budget and I started looking at the weapons of the old Eastern Bloc, I managed to pull in some T80 tanks and some Mig 29's for less then what we supposedly paid on the upgrade we did in the early 2000's :-D. Weird dream okay