Status of the An 225

[bok269]

I know there was an incident a few months ago, but is the plane back in the air?  also, is the second frame being completed?

[spitfire boy]

Yes, I believe plans to complete a second airframe are still in progress. Great news!!

[Papa9571]

The second airframe will be completed and there are rumors of an even bigger variant called the AN-325.

[an-225]

Actually, if I remember correctly in my infinite wisdom of the Antonov Super Heavy line, the An-325, was simply a concept, designed to carry HOTOL. It was said to have 8 engines, 4 of them carried B-52 style. Anyway, get much bigger than the 225, and you are looking at unflyable.

[Anark]

*Cough*Ihavealreadymadeathreadjustscrolldownabit*cough*

[elite marksman]

There is no reason why an aircraft cannot be larger than the -225 and still be able to fly. If you fulfill 1 of 2 of the following conditions, anything will fly.
a) provide enough vertical thrust to counteract the effect of gravity.
b) provide a large and strong enough wing with sufficient airflow to produce enough lift to counteract the force of gravity.
Granted, we reach a point where fulfilling the above is impractical.

The only reason an aircraft larger than the an-225 would be improbable is that it would be so limited as to where it can and cannot land, that it would be almost impossible to find any practical application for an aircraft of its size.

[Jakemaster]

There is no reason why an aircraft cannot be larger than the -225 and still be able to fly. If you fulfill 1 of 2 of the following conditions, anything will fly.
a) provide enough vertical thrust to counteract the effect of gravity.
b) provide a large and strong enough wing with sufficient airflow to produce enough lift to counteract the force of gravity.
Granted, we reach a point where fulfilling the above is impractical.

The only reason an aircraft larger than the an-225 would be improbable is that it would be so limited as to where it can and cannot land, that it would be almost impossible to find any practical application for an aircraft of its size.

And there have been aircraft larger that flew.  Okay maybe just one, but it flew!!!

[an-225]

Eh, larger plane in terms of WINGSPAN. Also it only flew 4 ft above the sea.  :P

Also, I reserve the right to sue the thread poster for using my name. See you in court on Monday.  ::)

[elite marksman]

Does it matter if it only flew once, by "accident?" The plane got off the water, thats all that counts.

[JA 37 Viggen]

[quote]Eh, larger plane in terms of WINGSPAN. Also it only flew 4 ft above the sea.

[an-225]

Ah, nice catch there Viggen.  ;D

elite marksman, it only made it 4 ft above the sea. Face it, get much larger than the 225 and you are looking at unflyable. The weight will keep it grounded - not to mention the horrible handling of anything bigger than a 124.

[JA 37 Viggen]

I thought it made 6 feet.

[trojan rabbit]

No reason for a -325

1. An-225 would have to change his screen name

2. Seriously, The market doesn't want jumbos... Look at the A-380

[an-225]

Trojan Rabbit, the second point you made is the most far-fetched thing I have ever heard. The market DOES want jumbos - the bigger (A380) the more people it can carry in one flight, and the faster the money rolls in. They don't want a crappy little Dreamliner taking only a few hundred people across nations at one time - more flights would then have to be made, meaning they will LOSE money (more flights = pilots with higher paychecks).

Also, the Antonov An-325, would not be a jumbo. It would be a CARGO carrier, and the market would love that, as it means they can carry more cargo in one flight.

In the end...your logic simply does not work.

[JA 37 Viggen]

Only reason the A380 isn't doing well is that well it cost alot. And to get an airline who is using the venerable 747 to turn those in would cost money for the pilots to time in the "things"(A380)