The first Tupolev Tu-204 freighter destined for Sirocco Aerospace International has flown, as preparations are made to fly the first Tu-204-300.
The company's Rolls-Royce RB.211-535E4-powered Tu-204-120C had its 2h maiden flight on 10 November from Ulyanov East Airport, where manufacturer Aviastar is based.
Tupolev Tu-204 programme director Oleg Alasheev says that all went well on the flight, and that the aircraft is to be flown to the Dubai air show on 13 November.
Meanwhile, the long-delayed first flight of the short-fuselage Tu-204-300 - also known as the Tu-234 - is expected soon. Lev Lanorski, chief designer of the Tu-204, says that the 160-seat, longer-range derivative will have its first flight "before the end of the year" from Zhukovski.
The Tu-204-300 prototype was completed in 1996, and is powered by Perm Motors PS-90As. A second example has been built, and is likely to be powered by RB.211s.o
Source: Flight International
