KYIV. Nov 23 (Interfax-AVN) - The Kyiv-based Antonov Aviation Research and Technical Complex keeps on flight tests of its Ruslan aircraft, now modified into the AN-124-100M-150, the company's press service told Interfax-Military News Agency Tuesday.
"The main feature of the aircraft that distinguishes it from the predecessors is the payload increased from 120 to 150 tonnes, plus a set of modernized flight and navigation equipment, ground proximity warning system and other state-of-the-art avionics," an official of the press service said.
He added that the tests are primarily aimed to prove that the aircraft meets the Eurocontrol P-RNAV requirements. For instance, the max deviation from set route should not exceed one mile throughout the whole flight path, including standard departure-arrival maneuvers in the zone of airports.
The A-820M system of the Kotlin-Novator joint-stock company, an element of the St. Petersburg-based Leninets Holding Company, stores the Jeppesen global air navigation database, which allows aircraft crew to get rid of navigation charts and reference books during the flight.
According to the press service, it is the first time that the flight tests of the flight and navigation system to certify it under the P-RNAV requirements are held in the CIS.
"The test program of the modernized system provides for 34 flights to be organized in three stages. Three flights have been made so far," the spokesman said.
According to him, the Ruslan will make 12 flights at the company's testing zone simulating complex routes during the first stage. Yet another five flights will be organized in airports of Ukraine via real complex routes during the second stage, while the rest 17 flights will be held with transportation of commercial cargoes en routes to Europe in intensive air traffic.
According to the press service, the SRPPZ-2000 ground proximity warning system of the Kyiv-based UKRNIIR research and development institute will be tested in five flights. Three of these will be made in the Crimean Mountains (Karadag and Roman-Kosh). It is owing to the requirements of European aviation authorities that such a system was introduced. It ensures early warning of proximity with ground and other obstacles en route, their images turning yellow and red depending on the danger. The Ukrainian system generates voice warning in any language, which differs it from foreign rivals.
The AN-124-100M-150 flight tests will also check the crew capability of operating in reduced strength of four instead of six, without a radioman and a flight engineer, the official said.