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BG Archive
— Airlifter Comparisons — IL-76 [ VDG News Release ] |
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Herman Kurapov notes that the re-engined Ilyushin
IL-76TD, the IL-76TD-90VD, is now in commercial service. Modification costs for this aircraft (new
PS-90A-76 engines and western avionics) is in the order of US$18M each. Mr. Kurapov estimates the value of the
new IL-76TD-90VDs to be approximately 1.5 times that of the standard IL-76TDs with D-30 engines (which meet only
the Stage 2 international noise restrictions). Despite this, ’90VD aircraft are selling for about the same
as older-type, D-30-engined IL-76TDs.
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[News Release, edited for brevity] Berlin-Moscow, 16 May 2006
Volga-Dnepr Group [VDG] is commencing commercial flights with its new generation IL-76TD-90VD cargo
aircraft, re-establishing the freighter for worldwide operations including the major cargo
transportation markets in Europe, North America, Australia and Japan, Volga-Dnepr’s
President, Alexey Isaikin, announced at the ILA [Internationale
Luftfahrtausstellung] Air Show in Berlin.
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The IL-76 is a unique cargo aircraft. In operation for over 30 years, it is one of the most successful
and popular aircraft in the history of inter- national air cargo. [See: IL-76 Cargo Hold] In total, more than 960 IL-76s have been built. However, the enactment
of Chapter 3 of the ICAO [the International Civil Aviation Organization] Chicago
Convention in 2002 regarding ground noise level restrictions, apart from special exemptions, placed a ban on the
use of the [earlier D-30 powered] IL-76TD aircraft in western Europe,
North America [excluding Gander], Australia and Japan.
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The reintroduction of unrestricted IL-76 international operations is
the result of a four-year programme launched in 2002 by Volga-Dnepr Group to
upgrade the IL-76 by further improving operating capability and ensuring
conformance to the current and future ICAO regulatory requirements.
Alexey Isaikin said: “We are delighted that all the commitment, hard work, and invest- ment...put into this
important project since 2002 has resulted in the successful launch of the IL-76TD-90VD...a welcome addition to
Volga-Dnepr’s fleet [with its increased 50tonne capacity] and global operating capability.”
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An agreement was sign in 2003 to begin IL-76 modernization, combining the resources of Volga-Dnepr, the SV
Ilyushin Aviation complex, TAPO (Tashkent VP Chkalov Aviation- Industrial Association) and the Perm engine
works. In 2003, VDG financed production of the first of two upgraded IL-76TD-90VD aircraft. In March
2005, the first IL-76TD-90VD was fitted with Perm PS-90A-76 engines, the aircraft successfully performing
its first test flight in August 2005. [The second aircraft is currently being completed at the Tashkent
factory, a third aircraft is underway for Silk Way which already operates nine IL-76s]. [1] In January 2006, the
IL-76TD-90VD was awarded a Chapter 4 noise certificate confirming that the aircraft complies with the
requirements of AP-36 Aviation Rules for level 4 aircraft and ICAO annex 16, Chapter 4 standards. [2]
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Prime advantages of the new IL-76TD-90VD
• Increased commercial payload to 50 tonnes [takeoff weight increased up to 195 tonnes]
• New Perm PS-90A-76 engines [left] conform to ICAO noise and emissions requirements
• 15% less fuel burn than the previous version of the IL-76 [with older D-30 engines]
• Maximum operating range increased to 10,200 km [from 6700 km with reserve]
• Crew reduced to 4 persons [from 7 including the flight crew and loadmasters]
• New Kupol-III digital integrated piloting/navigation system installed to ensure conformance
with ICAO RNP-1 [Required Navigation Performance-1] navigation accuracy requirements
• Airport/airfield possible elevation has been increased up to 3000m above sea level
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For safe, efficient loading of outsize and heavy cargo, the freight compartment is equipped with two
electric winches for hauling, as well as four electric hoists for lifting. Each winch has a 3 tonne hauling
capacity, each hoist has a 10 tonne lifting capacity. These hoists move on two gantry rails running the entire
length of the cargo compartment and then 6m beyond the ramp threshold (allowing the loading of cargoes or
containers directly from a truck bed, trailer, or the ground. Volga-Dnepr has a licence for special purpose cargo
handling equipment for the IL-76 aircraft, making it possible to load single pieces of cargo weighing up to 50
tonnes. There is an option to carry up to 20 cargo attendants as passengers.
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 The cargo compartment floor can be equipped with a rollerbed system
to handle containers and pallets weighing up to 5 tonnes. The reinforced floor of the cargo compartment is able
to support ‘super heavy’ cargoes. In addition, the ramp design makes it possible to load tracked
or wheeled machines into the aircraft under their own power.
The IL-76TD-90VD aircraft are fitted with PS-90A-76 engines produced by the Perm engine manu- facturer at a cost
of US$4.3 million each. Volga-Dnepr has conducted a global airfreight marketing survey that indicates a demand
for 20 IL-76TD-90VD aircraft by 2015. Volga-Dnepr Group will meet the growing demand for this unique aircraft
type as part of the firm’s long-term growth strategy.
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[1] Silk Way Airlines (based at Baku, Azerbaijan) is a regular visitor to CFB Trenton. Silk Way flies scheduled and
contracted cargo flights including to Kandahar. Presently, Silk Way owns 5 IL-76s ( 1 IL-76MD model
and 4 ’TDs ), leasing a further 4 IL-76TDs from Uzavializing. Silk Way has been licensed by Transport Canada to
transport goods on a charter basis between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Canada.
[2] ICAO Annex 16 set maximum take-off, landing and “sideline” noise levels for certification of new
turbofan-powered aircraft. In Russia, this requirement is met by AP-36, JAR-36 in the rest of Europe, FAR-36
in the USA, and by Transport Canada’s CAR-516/-602 in Canada.
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