Paul Duffy/MOSCOW
The Ilyushin design bureau is moving forward with plans to develop a high-wing 40-seat/utility turboprop, theIl-112, from the Il-114 after go-ahead from Russia's new President, Vladimir Putin.
The Il-112 was conceived as a simple, high-wing configured development of the slow-selling 62-seat Il-114, in response to concerns raised by potential operators who were worried that the low- winged design would be unable to withstand foreign object damage when operating from Russia's poor quality runways.
Il-114 builder Tashkent Aircraft Production Association objected to the creation of a direct rival, so an all-new 32-seat design was considered, but Putin has signed a decree approving a high-winged, T-tailed 40-seater based on the Il-114 airframe.
The design is close to finalisation. The first version is set to be completed by the Voronezh Aircraft Production factory late next year. Currently, the -112 retains the -114's 3m (10ft) cross section (enabling four-abreast seating), but with the fuselage length shortened by 6.2m to 20m. The Il-112 will be powered by 1,860kW (2,500hp) Klimov TV7-117C turboprops, similar to those on the Il-114.The standard flightdeck will feature two-crew electronic flight instrument system displays.
The military Il-112V - with a loading ramp - will be the first model produced. An 11-seat business shuttle will also be offered.
• The 52-seat Antonov An-140 turboprop has received Russian certification. Approval covers the baseline model and the enhanced An-140-100 version.
Source: Flight International
