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A baseline version of the S-80GP aircraft is intended for airline companies
rendering passenger and cargo transportation services on local and regional air routes,
Initially the S-80GP project was originated by the Sukhoi Design Bureau on its own initiative but later it was joined by its traditional partner
- the KnAAPO aircraft production plant from Komsomolsk-on-the-Amur,
which converted a part of its production capacities to serve civil aviation needs.
Currently the KnAAPO is completing necessary preparations for commercial
production of the S-80 aircraft, the SibNIA research institute is finishing static tests of
the first aircraft, maiden flight of the first aircraft is scheduled for this August.
The S-80GP is a highly effective transportation vehicle capable of yielding
a profit for airline companies even in the conditions of constrained cost rates for passenger and cargo transportation services. General
airframe configuration of the aircraft, its architecture, type of power plant and maintenance
and servicing strategy were designed so that minimal direct operational costs and thus, high
commercial profitability, could be ensured.
Taking into account specificities typical of
aircraft operation in Russia, developers of the S-80GP have furnished this aircraft with a number
of technical solutions which allow self-sufficient
stationing and operation of the aircraft. The cargo
loading ramp in the fuselage rear, removable roller
guides and hoist lift facilitate loading and unloading operations.
The twin-boom design of the aircraft with the P-shape empennage makes it
possible for a forklift or a truck to park in the close proximity
to the ramp. With a locked propeller a left engine of the S-80 can perform as a power supply
unit providing operation of the on-board systems
without connection to an external power source.
Takeoff and landing characteristics of the S-80GP
aircraft as well as its instrumentation complex allow
landing and takeoff from short runways including
unpaved runways of unequipped air fields.
Analysis indicate that neither cargo nor
passenger aircraft alone operated on local air routes
can be really profitable. That is why the Sukhoi
Design Bureau has developed a convertible
aircraft which can be easily transformed from
a passenger airliner into a cargo transport and
backward. Prior to cargo transportation hand
luggage shelves inside the cabin shall be folded
and passenger seats removed. After preparation
for passenger transportation cabin interior
remains unchanged and level of comfort is maximally close to the generally accepted standards
for medium-range aircraft.
The S-80GP is fitted with CT7-9B turboprop
engines manufactured by General Electric. Similar
turboprop engines are used on the SAAB-340,
CN-235 and L-610 aircraft. As of today there is
more than 1,400 CT7 engines in use worldwide ant
their total operating time combined is 13 million
hours. Reliability of the engine is 99.92 per cent.
For marketing of the engine in Russia General
Bectrics and Rybinsk Motors plant founded a joint
company which would assist airline companies
operating CT7 engines, would supply them with
accessories and spare parts as well as would
provide personnel training. Engine in question is
certified for operation in Russia and is adjusted for
local fuel and oils. Cost analysis of the entire life
cycle of CT7 confirmed its cost efficiency.
Flight, technical and operational
characteristics of the S-80GP aircraft will make this air vehicle a successful replacement for Russian and
foreign-make aircraft, namely the An-28, Yak-40,
L-410, CASA C-212, Dornier 228 and partly
An-24, An-26, operating on the local and regional air routes.
Market analysis indicated that by
2006 the fleet of S-80GP aircraft exported to various countries worldwide can amount to 150-200
while amount of the domestically operated aircraft can be about 120-180. First three-five
models of this aircraft - S-80GP version - will
be operated by airline companies owned by the
Sukhoi Design Bureau and KnAAPO aircraft
plant. Such an approach shall contribute to the
expedient promotion of sales on the domestic
and international market.
During the design phase using a baseline
version of the S-80PG, a troop carrier, medical,
pilot training and navigator training version
of this aircraft was developed. Development of
a version with elongated fuselage for 36 passenger seats is now being discussed and given
a consideration.
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