By the way, hats off to the latest edition of Airways Magazine for their beautiful article on this plane!! Outstanding article as always - highly recommended for everyone out there.
It got me thinking - say Boeing or Airbus decided there was a market for a fleet of whatever size, and decided to develop a never (giving a HEFTY royalty to Antonov, obviously!!). What do you think that might do for trade and technological development around the world?
I realize development costs would be astronomical (this would VERY much have to be a long-term plan!)...perhaps pooling their resources instead of name-calling could make the project work.
Does anyone know how long of a runway this beast needs? I drool at the thought of seeing this dinosaur-sized behemoth flying in to San Diego...I'm sure it would have to take off empty, but the dramatic photos would be unreal.
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FlagshipAZ From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 3419 posts, RR: 15 Reply 1, posted (9 years 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 2357 times:
I suppose there could be a fleet of the An-225s...if they ever get the 2nd aircraft finish. Really I would like to see at least 2 of these majestic beasts. Does anyone here have any inside info regarding the 2nd bird, supposely being held in suspended animation until funds & manpower can come together? Regards.
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." --Ben Franklin
Greaser From Bahamas, joined Jan 2004, 1081 posts, RR: 4 Reply 2, posted (9 years 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 2295 times:
Could happen, but why? the a380 will be much cheaper to operate, easier maintaince, and is not a cold-war era a/c. The AN-225 commerical just doesnt make sense, a case of too little too late.
Let it fly freight.
Mark777300 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 388 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (9 years 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 2244 times:
Unless Airbus comes out with a version of the A380 that will have front access (by a hinged nose like the 747F or C5) or rear loading ramp, the A380 would not be the ideal aircraft to transport oversized loads. The An-225 will by far have the advantage if tranporting oversized loads. The A380 is being designed as a passenger model from the begining with the freighter model coming in second on it's designs. If everyone remembers, the 747 was first concieved as a military transporter which Lockheed won out with it's C-5. Design of the 747 which had it's origins as a freighter was then altered to become a passenger tranporter. It's all within the design that determines the models use in service. I still feel that the A380F will be a bigger hit with carriers such as FED EX who tranport package style freight, but may not be sutible for carriers who tranport oversized loads. The An-225 does have a future in the aviation world as an oversized freighter.
PanAm747 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 4242 posts, RR: 10 Reply 4, posted (9 years 3 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 2203 times:
Thanks everyone!!
Mark777300, I remember reading somewhere that Boeing felt the wave of the future was going to be supersonic travel, and after losing the government contract, went ahead with the 747 development because they felt the future of the graceful lady would be cargo within a few years, and they could get some serious use out of them. The double deck design came about because of Boeing's decision to allow for front end nose-up conversions when the planes became freighters.
Thanks for the input!!
Pan Am:The World's Most Experienced Airline - P(oor) S(ailor's) A(irline): San Diego's Hometown Airline-Catch Our Smile!
Slawko From Canada, joined May 1999, 3799 posts, RR: 10 Reply 5, posted (9 years 3 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 2106 times:
If the 2nd one is ever completed, and I think it will be, it will have new engines, and a modern avionics package, thats the only way it will be able to compete, and continue to fly for a number of years. As the 2nd one is brought online to fly the first one should be taken out of service and modified with the above mentioned improvments. I know that the current one was equiped with new Stage 3 engines, like its AN124 sisters, but it will take even further improvments to the engine package to make the airplane even more economical. I understand that Kyiv is working on a new AN124 with new, maybe even western engines, and a two man cockpit, as well as other structural improvments this would likey be transfered over to the 225 program as well. Steady cash flow is really the only thing holding the project back. Its a shame that there have not been more orders for the other aircraft, like the 140, and 170. I understand the 148 will fly this June/July...the really need to work on their selling/marketing of their products and secure some good orders for the airplanes, and free up som r/d money for the 124/225 program.
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FlagshipAZ From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 3419 posts, RR: 15 Reply 7, posted (9 years 3 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 2005 times:
Backfire, has Antonov elaborated to you about the current state of the 2nd aircraft? In terms of how far along has she been constructed? Or is Antonov using her as a source for spare parts? Any other info you can provide is appreciated. Regards.
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." --Ben Franklin
Frugalqxnwa From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 565 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (9 years 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 1880 times:
First to the technical spect. If B or A decided to develop a modernized version of the AN-225, it would undoubtedly involve major technological advances; just look at other very large aircraft programs (747, C-5, A380, AN-124/225). Either manufacturer could make the AN-225 cost effective to operate by having more efficient engines and a two-crew flight deck. Boeing modernized the 747 in the -400 series in just the same way. I do not see a fleet of "Dreams" coming about, however. The market for this size of aircraft is too small to justify more than one, two, or maybe three of these beautiful types; I only know of one airline that operates very large cargo aircraft (Antonov Airlines). Anyways, this is all my speculation, so feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
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