SIBILLE From Belgium, joined Jun 2005, 450 posts, RR: 3 Posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 4176 times:
Seems Cubana is happy with their Il-96 and Tu-204 and expect to double the fleet soon (3 more of each type) + 3 An-148.
That means the end of Il-62 and leased aircrafts
Source in French http://fr.rian.ru/business/20080220/99693924.html
PanAm747 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 4242 posts, RR: 10 Reply 2, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 3915 times:
Hopefully, when the U.S. embargo is lifted, Cubana will continue to operate these planes. For us American a.netters who would LOVE a chance to fly on a Russian plane, this would be the quickest and cheapest way to get on board!!
I'll try and stay out of any political discussion, but I know Cuba is being heavily subsidized with fuel by Venezuela, so I don't think the fuel efficiency of the planes is the highest priority. However, I don't think the IL-96 is a flying pig - how does this plane rate in terms of efficiency and noise levels compared to some of the newer Airbus and Boeing models? And is there any information on the TU-204's efficiency?
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Flylot From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 186 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 3881 times:
Cubana's Tupolevs and Ilyushin actually both use the PS-90 turbofan. In fact both the Tupolev 204and Ilyushin 96 projects began in the 1980's with this engine in mind. The original PS-90 engine is a bit dated, however a PS-90A Tu-204 is comparable to a Rolls-Royce RB211 757 in terms of efficiency. However on the Ilyushin, which is clearly a much heavier plane, those turbofans are just gas guzzlers. I'm looking for specifications as we speak.
Tu204 From Russia, joined Mar 2006, 904 posts, RR: 19 Reply 6, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 3478 times:
Quoting PanAm747 (Reply 2): I'll try and stay out of any political discussion, but I know Cuba is being heavily subsidized with fuel by Venezuela, so I don't think the fuel efficiency of the planes is the highest priority. However, I don't think the IL-96 is a flying pig - how does this plane rate in terms of efficiency and noise levels compared to some of the newer Airbus and Boeing models? And is there any information on the TU-204's efficiency?
Don't know about Il-96, but effeciency of the PS-90A is about 1% higher than a Rolls, but the PS-90A2 (which is currently in final stages of testing and about to be launched into production is about 12% more powerfull and I believe 6% more effecient than the Rolls. The PS-90A2 also has a 40% increase in overall life and a substantial increase in mean time between overhauls. Cubana might go for the PS-90A2 on their new Tu-204's.
All PS-90's are pretty easily interchangable - the mounts are the same, just need to update the software in computer. But since the materials of the high pressure compressor are different, the parts are not so interchangable, so it would make sense to change the engines on the entire fleet rather than have two different modifications. Aviadvigatel is thinking about providing this option at the overhaul, making it an upgrade because about half the parts are the same - just not the cheap ones
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SIBILLE From Belgium, joined Jun 2005, 450 posts, RR: 3 Reply 8, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 3336 times:
Quoting Teme82 (Reply 4): I can't read French but I didn't see any mention of the IL-62 in the article.
You are right. They don't talk about Il-62 in the article but even if it's very sad, why would they keep their old and expensive Il-62 if they have new Tu-204 instead?
I think they'll keep their Yak-42, at least till they have their An-148.
So, the think I hope, is Venezuela and Bolivia will buy Tu-204 and Il-96 (already some articles about that with Bolivian team visiting Ulyanosk) and these 3 countries will have a maintenance center somewhere (should be in Cuba because of their experience with Russian birds).
Wedgetail737 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 5526 posts, RR: 5 Reply 9, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 3169 times:
What would happen if some political miracle were to happen and flights between the US and Cuba were to begin. Would Cubana have a chance? My guess is that AA, NK and DL or UA would be the first US carriers.
Georgiabill From United States of America, joined Mar 2003, 544 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 3082 times:
Congrats to both manufacturers and Cubana. It is good to see Cubana continuing it's fleet renewal. Perhaps in the future they may consider the TU-334 or Sukhoi Regional Jet.
Pylon101 From Russia, joined Feb 2008, 1391 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 3009 times:
Quoting Wedgetail737 (Reply 9): What would happen if some political miracle were to happen and flights between the US and Cuba were to begin. Would Cubana have a chance? My guess is that AA, NK and DL or UA would be the first US carriers
I have been in Havana last year. Talked to some intellectuals.
It is going to be hard: transition from present Cuba to a new (old?) Cuba.
People who live there are in contradiction with Cuban immigrants' community ALREADY NOW.
They perfectly realize that restitution laws will be explosive. Millions of Cubans live in apartments, houses or on land which - from the point of view of FL Cubans - they never owned.
Cuba has best education and medical care - all free, naturally, - in the region and South America (probably ARG and Chile may be better).
So my conclusion was that Cuban Cubans are not very enthusiastic about prospects of return of American Cubans.
American 767 From United States of America, joined exactly 14 years ago today! , 3320 posts, RR: 14 Reply 12, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 2932 times:
Quoting SIBILLE (Reply 8): So, the think I hope, is Venezuela and Bolivia will buy Tu-204 and Il-96 (already some articles about that with Bolivian team visiting Ulyanosk) and these 3 countries will have a maintenance center somewhere (should be in Cuba because of their experience with Russian birds).
Another country likely to buy Russian built aircraft is Iran, as mentioned in the article. Iran won't buy any Boeing aircraft for political reasons. So maybe Iran will join the countries you mention in sending their aircraft to one maintenance center. It doesn't look like Aeroflot will go for more IL-96's.
Ben Soriano
Brussels Belgium
"Aimer jusqu'a l'impossible, c'est possible". Tina Arena.
Xtoler From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 942 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 2902 times:
Didn't Illysusian (sp?) recently stop production of the 96 a while back? If it's in demand though, that would be pretty cool to see them in this hemisphere. I think it would be great to have an agreement with Cuba again. The problem would be, how long would it take for an overflight agreement? I'd love to see Cubana corner that market, but by the time all the legalities are worked out, we probably wouldn't get to see an Il-96 here. I'll settle for the TU-204.
Speaking of the Il-62, weren't they replaced years ago by a turbo prop and Cubana wet leased them for quite a while? Seems like I saw some fairly recent pictures on here with 62's in Cubana colors.
EMB145 F/A, F/E, J41 F/A, F/E, because my wife clipped my wings, armchair captain
EA772LR From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 2836 posts, RR: 10 Reply 14, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 2874 times:
It's good to see Cubana keeping all of the Russian aircraft makers in business : Illyushin-Il96 / Antonov-An148 / Tupolev-Tu204. Now all they need is to order the Sukhoi SSJ and the Russians are happy!!
[Edited 2008-03-25 12:06:43]
We often judge others by their actions, but ourselves by our intentions.
Xtoler From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 942 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 2808 times:
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