But Cessna is cautious about proposal to licence-manufacture single-engined turboprop
Russia's civil aviation administration is planning to open talks with Cessna about the proposed licence- manufacture of the US company's Caravan single-engine utility turboprop in the country.
The move, which could lead to preliminary discussions with the US airframer as early as June, is a response to the dearth of new aircraft in Russia for short-haul transport and inter-urban flights.
Cessna, however, says there are no plans to assemble the Caravan in Russia and indicates that such a move would be considered unlikely, even if a formal approach is made.
The out-of-production Antonov An-2 piston-engined biplane, first flown in 1947, is currently the only aircraft type providing local air services in Russia. The bulk of about 4,000 aircraft manufactured after the An-2 went into production have already been discarded.
To replace the An-2, Omsk aviation plant Polyot has developed its modernised An-3 version, which is equipped with a VK-1500 turboprop engine. But Russia's federal air transport agency is voicing doubts about prospects for the project. "We should not expect our industry to bring An-3s on stream in the near future," says Nikolai Shipil, head of the federal air transport agency.
"Even if it does, the supply is unlikely to fill demand for a dependable 10- to 15-seater. The Cessna Caravan is exactly that kind of aircraft. It is more reasonable to buy the necessary know-how and start assembling these transports under licence," he says.
The proposal has reportedly gained support from Russia's transport ministry, and leasing company Ilyushin-Finance has expressed willingness to arrange financing for the Cessna project, should there be a strong enough demand from Russian operators. Shipil has asked Ilyushin-Finance to identify potential operators of Caravans and explore the aircraft's affordability, says Ilyushin-Finance director Alexander Rubtsov.
"We are currently assessing which of our aviation plants could assemble Cessnas under licence," he says. "If we can produce aircraft for between $500,000-600,000, then Caravan manufacture in Russia will be commercially viable."
TOM ZAITSEV / MOSCOW
Source: Flight International
