World's Largest Plane flies again.

[NightShade]

https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/airlines/a31931608/antonov-an-225-return-test-flight/

And it flew a second time today.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-225_Mriya

General characteristics

• Crew: 6
• Length: 84 m (275 ft 7 in)
• Wingspan: 88.4 m (290 ft 0 in)
• Height: 18.1 m (59 ft 5 in)
• Wing area: 905 m2 (9,740 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 8.6
• Empty weight: 285,000 kg (628,317 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 640,000 kg (1,410,958 lb)
• Fuel capacity: more than 300,000 kg (661,000 lb)[55]
• Cargo hold – volume 1,300 m3 (46,000 cu ft), 43.35 m (142.2 ft) long × 6.4 m (21 ft) wide × 4.4 m (14 ft) tall
• Powerplant: 6 × Progress D-18T turbofans, 229.5 kN (51,600 lbf) thrust each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 850 km/h (530 mph, 460 kn)
• Cruise speed: 800 km/h (500 mph, 430 kn)
• Range: 15,400 km (9,600 mi, 8,300 nmi) with maximum fuel; range with 200 tonnes payload: 4,000 km (2,500 mi)
• Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
• Wing loading: 662.9 kg/m2 (135.8 lb/sq ft)
• Thrust/weight: 0.234

 

[davek]

I remember seeing that one in OKC in 1989. Cavernous inside.

 

[HeyEng]

Had the opportunity to check one out during a short stop in some former Eastern European country in my AF flying days. The technology was antiquated and the "troop" compartment was like a homeless camp...sleeping bags, trash, a huge mess...really. No freaking way I would fly on that contraption.

 

[dennishoddy]

I remember seeing that one in OKC in 1989. Cavernous inside.

We were at that airshow as well.

 

[TheDoubleD]

Was that the AN225 you guys saw, or was it the AN124. There is was only one AN225. If so, I am envious. Back in the early 1990's in my working life, I boarded a 124 in Houston. Holy cow, what a monster aircraft, and the AN225 is bigger. (mouth agape in awe).

Back then the AN124 always had one British crewman, usually as flight officer who spoke English and carried the cash ( large amount of cash-all USD) as no one would accept their Ukrainian credit card.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

We were at that airshow as well.

Me too. I worked for AAR at the time.

Woody

 

[davek]

Was that the AN225 you guys saw, or was it the AN124. There is was only one AN225. If so, I am envious. Back in the early 1990's in my working life, I boarded a 124 in Houston. Holy cow, what a monster aircraft, and the AN225 is bigger. (mouth agape in awe).

Back then the AN124 always had one British crewman, usually as flight officer who spoke English and carried the cash ( large amount of cash-all USD) as no one would accept their Ukrainian credit card.

Yes - 6 engines, twin rudders, mount point for a Buran on top. But I stand corrected on the date, it was 1990.
https://www.johnweeks.com/an225/index.html


The Su-27s were cool too

 

[dennishoddy]

Yes - 6 engines, twin rudders, mount point for a Buran on top. But I stand corrected on the date, it was 1990.
https://www.johnweeks.com/an225/index.html


The Su-27s were cool too

We were probably in that video. We were standing so the right wing went right over us.

 

[Hawgman]

Makes the same weird sound a C-5 does.

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Yes - 6 engines, twin rudders, mount point for a Buran on top. But I stand corrected on the date, it was 1990.
https://www.johnweeks.com/an225/index.html


The Su-27s were cool too

Was that the "first" time the Soviet aircraft showed up? If so, I was there too. I remember the giant Antonov, got to go inside. I also remember a twin rotor helicopter that could pull a loop and of course, the Su-27. When the pilot pulled the Cobra, I was certain that thing was gonna crash. When he didn't, I thought "Damn, that thing is scary!".

The Blue Angels showed up too, and didn't exactly suck. One helluva show. IIRC, there was a stunt pilot in a Russian piston bird that was incredible, but he crashed the next day. Is this the same show? I may be getting my years mixed up.