MOSCOW, July 13 (AVN) - Russian military transports flew 4,520 out of the total 10,000 hours on kerosene purchased for profits from commercial flights in the first half of 2000, Lieutenant-General Viktor Denisov, chief of the Supreme Command's 61st Air Force Army, said on Thursday.
Most of such flights are effected by the 224th flight detachment, Denisov told the Military News Agency. It is equipped with 26 IL-76 Candid planes and seven AN-124 Condor planes, which are certified as compliant with all demands of the Federal Air Transport Service, he noted.
The money gained by commercial flights is spent on the purchase of fuel and spare parts, airfield repairs and special needs, such as purchase of apartments for pilots and aviation specialists, Denisov said.
The military transports have never used fuel from emergency store, the general stressed. In order to further reduce fuel consumption, all missions are accomplished only on written order of the Air Force chief-of-staff or the deputy Russian chief-of-staff in command of the Armed Forces main operational department, he added.