World's Largest Airplane visits US!

[Flightjock30]

Yes one was only ever built according to a website about the AN-225. The strange thing is how inefficient the flightdeck layout and avionics were for a plane built in the late 1980s. You would think it would have a glass cockpit and just 2-3 crew members flying it. Resembles more like an old 747 or 707.

 

[ratings:all]

didnt they convert one of the original -225's to fly their space shuttle around? i think they used that one for spare parts to get the now airworthy -225 flying. or am i thinking of the 124?

taxied next to a -124 at IAH once-it was like the box the bird i was on came in.

 

[crosscut]

...taxied next to a -124 at IAH once-it was like the box the bird i was on came in.

Huh?

You lost me. Do you mean,

a)“this bird was like the box it came out of,” as in…. the airplane was as square-looking as the box it came out of? or

b)the IAH (& the city of Houston) smells like the birds’ box, or

c)are you telling “us ‘bout the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees and the moon up above…?”

 

[cargoflyr69]

Saw an AN-124 on approach up in Cleveland about a week ago. We were #1 and were cleared to go, capt looked to the left an stomped on the brakes as he thought it was more like on a 1/4 mile final vs. the 4 mile final tower had advised. Needless to say we were rolling down the centerline seconds later. If there is a next time, I will gladly hold short and take the wake turbulence delay in the mighty Saab just to see that beast on an aircraft land!

 

[metrodriver]

The An225 was originally designed to carry the russian space shuttle around, but since the shelving of the space shuttle program they finally figured out that there is a way to make money with this beast of an airplane. And since its original task was carrying the shuttle I think the russians figured it wouldn't make much sense to put a very advanced cockpit in this machine if it only flies once in a while.

 

[Flightjock30]

Metrodriver,
Good point!! Hey imagine getting stuck behind the wake turbulence of an AN-225 when it is HEAVY, CLEAN, and SLOW in a Cessna 152!! AHAHAHA!

 

[Typhoon1244]

taxied next to a -124 at IAH once-it was like the box the bird i was on came in.

Originally posted by crosscut
Huh? You lost me.

Whatever ratings:all was flying would probably fit inside the An-124. Same shape but smaller. Hence, it looked like the box that his airplane came in.

Get it?

I thought it was pretty funny...but it loses its effect when you explain it.

 

[dgs]

It was the AN-225 in OKC. Twin tail and 6 engines! You don't forget an airplane like that.

 

[TonyC]

AN-225

The aircraft at the Paris Air Show 2001 was definitely the AN-225 - - 6 engines, twin tail, and more wheels than you can count!

The cockpit design was based on the AN-124 (expidited crew training), so perhaps that explains why it's more primitive than its vintage. Far more primitive than the 707, by the way.

The single airplane operating then had been restored in an effort to find commercial transport uses -- ultra large cargo. The test pilot I spoke to indicated there were efforts underway, contingent on the commercial success of the first AN-225, to complete the second AN-225 and put it in service as well. I haven't heard of that happening yet.

 

[darien]

only one I've seen is on my aviator

 

[Publishers]

space shuttle

I believe that the poster was right that said it was for their space shuttle and to carry rocket motors around.

I had the opportunity to fly a -124 a good many years ago in China. Empty and with little fuel that thing can get up and go. The panel if I remember was more like an Aztec than a modern jet aircraft.

The Russians were always noted for the fact that if a piece was very critical to flight, they had great technology. If it was just something that was on the aircraft but not critical, then anything would do. Like the heads. They mize well have gotton them off some old hotel that was taken down. No use wasting money on the comforts.

It did have some sophisticated navigation equipment and about a 100 tires. The aircraft would actually kneel. It was fun but I had too much vodka at the Peace Hotel the night before.

 

[j41driver]

Pic of the flight deck....

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/459338/M/

 

[Typhoon1244]

Pic of the flight deck...

Nice curtains. Perfect for a rendezvous with one of those hot Russian flight attendants...

 

[metrodriver]

Man! Look at the lights above the engineers panel. Look like recycled shower heads!