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Tupolev Tu-154
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Tupolev Tu-154
Aeroflot
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Tupolev Tu-154
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Tupolev 154
The Tupolev Tu-154 (NATO reporting name Careless) is a Russian medium-range
trijet airliner. It remains the standard airliner for domestic routes in Russia
and other states of the former Soviet Union and to a lesser extent in eastern
Europe and Iran.
The Tu-154 was developed fom the twin-engined Tupolev Tu-134 to replace the
jet-powered Tupolev Tu-104, plus the Antonov An-10 and Ilyushin Il-18 turboprops.
It is sometimes called the "Tu-134 with everything thrice." It is designed to
operate from austere gravel airfields, to be able to fly at high altitudes above
most Soviet Union air traffic, and for takeoff performance.
Design features
Its construction is sturdy with 14 big low-pressure tires enabling it to land
on snow-covered, unpaved runways without sustaining serious damage. Initially
it had three rear-mounted Kuznetsov NK-8-2 jet engines, arranged like the
engines on the Boeing 727, giving it a relatively good thrust-to-weight ratio.
It has triple bogie main undercarriage units which retract into wing pods, and
a T-tail empennage. These features make Tu-154 a reliable and economical
workhorse. Close to 1000 have been built with requests even today for resumption
of production.
Statistically, the Tu-154 has one of the poorest safety records. However,
Tupolev 154's chequered safety record owes more to errors than technical problems.
For individuals used to Boeing or Airbus airliners, the cabin of the Tu-154 can
seem cramped. The impression is of an oval interior with a lower ceiling than
is common on western airliners.
The Aeroflot Tu154 is arranged with 3x3 seating, with even less legroom than
the most tightly packed budget US airlines. In order to stand upright it
is necessary to fold down the next seat forward.
The underseat space is dominated by a large round bar, making it impractical
to place much of anything under the seat in front of you. The overhead bin is
too small for much other than coats and purses. One should plan luggage
carefully bearing these facts in mind.
Variants
Many variants of this versatile airliner have been built. Apart from the normal
differences between weights and powerplants, the Tu-154 even has a couple of
completely esoterically fuelled versions! Like its western counterpart,
the Boeing 727, many of the Tu-154s in service have been hush-kitted, and some
converted to freighters.
Tu-154 / Tu-154A / Tu-154B
The Tu-154 entered service with Aeroflot in 1972. Three variants, all powered
by Kuznetsov, have been built. The initial Tu-154, the heavier Tu-154A with
more powerful engines, and the Tu-154B with a further increase in maximum
takeoff weight. Tu-154S is a freighter version of the Tu-154B.
Tu-155/Tu-156
One of the more radical projects based on this aircraft is the methane-powered
Tu-155 and Tu-156. The Tu-155 prototype uses methane fuel for its central engine,
while in the Tu-156 all three engines are adapted for methane burning.
Tu-154M
Currently, the Tu-154M is the production standard which first flew in 1982. It
uses more efficient Aviadvigatel D-30KU turbofans. It is far more economical,
quiet, and reliable than previous versions. Aeroflot consistently achieves
dispatch reliability above 99% with the Tu-154M, which compares favorably with
current western airliners.
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Tupolev Tu-154".
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