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I was wondering about russian airplanes.

My first question is about Tu-154 and Tu-204. When are they planning to retire all Tu-154 and replace them with Tu-204?  From what I know Tu-204 is newer than Tu-154 but I personally do not really like Tu-204. Tu-154 had a lot nicer design I think. Also Tu-204 looks like a 757 with some changes (althought 757 is a nice aircraft! I just think Tu-204 looks like a 757 with some odd changes that make it looks a lot worse than 757) and second, the interior is still not as comfortable as the one on 757. I flew on 757 Delta and I remember it as a very nice aircraft with a decent interior. I know it has to do with the airline too but still...It is a much older aircraft than Tu-204 but has nicer design and technological specs. Also why is that most russian aircraft do not have nice interiors like Boeing or Airbus. One of my family members flew on Aeroflot Iluishin Il-86 in mid 90's while they were on vacation and as far as what I know they prefer Boeing's interior as it's a lot nicer and more comfortable. And even when I compare pictures on airliners.net Boeing and Airbus have a lot nicer and more pleasant and comfortable interior than on Russian airplanes. Also I noticed that Russian airplanes do not really fly to North America. Well they had a couple of flights using Il-96 to KSFO a while ago. It is because the government didn't approve that aircraft to fly here to USA or Canada?  Thanks
JVC_systems

IT's not as simple as "retiring" the -154, and replacing them with 204s.

As with "western" aircraft, it's a matter of markets.  The -154 has a lot of life in it, if not in first tier (international) carriers, in second tier markets (within Russia, Africa, etc.

The -204 is in full production (if I read my magazines right, all 2004 production slots are spoken for).

As for interiors, I would not hazard a guess - design philosophies, carry over of an austere minimalist philosophy from the Soviet days, etc.

We get Russian aircraft all the time...last week we had a Russian helicopter the Hip.

Happy Landings....Cheers...Doug

A friend of mine showed me a few pics of Il-96-400 or something. Not exactly sure. Looks a lot nicer than before althought still not as good as Airbus or Boeing interiors. Anyone has more info on those? Thanks
JVC_systems

I was wondering about russian airplanes.

My first question is about Tu-154 and Tu-204. When are they planning to retire all Tu-154 and replace them with Tu-204?

If they have the money. The Tu-154's were Aeroflot breakup leftovers, the Tu-204 has to be bought from the factory.

From what I know Tu-204 is newer than Tu-154 but I personally do not really like Tu-204. Tu-154 had a lot nicer design I think.

Trijets are out of fashion it seems, and have some bad stall habits

Also Tu-204 looks like a 757 with some changes (althought 757 is a nice aircraft! I just think Tu-204 looks like a 757 with some odd changes that make it looks a lot worse than 757) and second, the interior is still not as comfortable as the one on 757. I flew on 757 Delta and I remember it as a very nice aircraft with a decent interior. I know it has to do with the airline too but still...It is a much older aircraft than Tu-204 but has nicer design and technological specs.

The technological specs... Honeywell and RR engines for export versions, almost the same as the 757. The only problem is that the parts of the right and left side of the machine are probably different from each other.

Also why is that most russian aircraft do not have nice interiors like Boeing or Airbus. One of my family members flew on Aeroflot Iluishin Il-86 in mid 90's while they were on vacation and as far as what I know they prefer Boeing's interior as it's a lot nicer and more comfortable. And even when I compare pictures on airliners.net Boeing and Airbus have a lot nicer and more pleasant and comfortable interior than on Russian airplanes.

There is no TV in a Il-86... but enough Vodka to entertain yourself

Also I noticed that Russian airplanes do not really fly to North America. Well they had a couple of flights using Il-96 to KSFO a while ago. It is because the government didn't approve that aircraft to fly here to USA or Canada?

Noise restrictions and public appeal. The stuff that tends to crash are the older Tupolevs if you have to believe CNN. The public doesn't want to fly Tu-154 because of that.
Ever seen a Tu-154... they smoke even when on idle and sound like old 727's

The Il-96 probably went to the more profitable New York route.

But Cubana Tu-154 had Varadero - Toronto routes. What happened then? I no longer see any pics on airliners.net of their Tu-154. Retired?

Never seen Tu-154 in USA thought. At least never seen them in California.

But Cubana Tu-154 had Varadero - Toronto routes. What happened then? I no longer see any pics on airliners.net of their Tu-154. Retired?

Cubana has rationalized their fleet into:

Airbus 330, IL-62 and Airbus-320 for interncontinental and international flights, and YAK-42 and AN-24 for domestic services..

If you want the inside story on flying Russian helos, speak to yours truely who has managed to blag stick time on an Mi-24d!

Ozzy

One little detail about Russian a/c....  The US Armed Forces have several on their roster - and not merely as "test / evaluation" aircraft.

There are several Antonov transports on service, especially the  -24  variants.  I understand that an An-2 is also in service.  They also have several Mil helos.

Wasn't there some US army guy saying that he would prefer a Mi-24 in afghanistan over his AH-64D?

AFAIK these machines are mostly used in exercises, and never on missions

Wasn't there some US army guy saying that he would prefer a Mi-24 in afghanistan over his AH-64D?

AFAIK these machines are mostly used in exercises, and never on missions

Special OPerations has at least one AN-2.... and there are several AN-24 (or variants, I can't keep track of them too well) (that were?) operating in the Afghanistan area....  Logical, since some of the support was coming from the border ex-CCCP republics.

(I'll have to check one of the issues of Air Forces Monthly for further details).

Spec ops one An-2... are they excluded from the standard FAA rules? as these are experimental and 'one airport only' restricted

The big Antonov probably was a An-26 (big ass, cargo doors) or An-32 (An-26 with huge engines).

I mean if the US inventory (Mi-24, MiG-21, MiG-23) has been used abroad.
Aren't most of those machines in the 4477th TES squadron?