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The Ilyushin Il-18, designed by the renowned Soviet aircraft designer Sergei Ilyushin, made its first flight on July 4, 1957. This four-engine turboprop airliner quickly gained recognition for its exceptional performance and reliability.

Key Features and Design

The Il-18 boasted a sleek and streamlined design, with its distinctive swept-back wings and distinctive triple-tail configuration. Equipped with four powerful turboprop engines, it offered excellent fuel efficiency and a cruising speed of approximately 480 knots, making it one of the fastest turboprop aircraft of its time.

Spacious Cabin and Passenger Comfort

One of the standout features of the Il-18 was its spacious cabin, which could accommodate up to 120 passengers. The aircraft's interior was designed with passenger comfort in mind, offering ample legroom and large windows that provided stunning panoramic views during flights.

Reliability and Performance

Thanks to its robust construction and advanced engineering, the Il-18 quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional reliability and performance. It had the ability to operate in various weather conditions and on challenging terrains, making it a popular choice for airlines operating in remote regions.

The Il-18's Role in Aviation History

The Ilyushin Il-18 played a pivotal role in the development of Soviet civil aviation. It served as a reliable and versatile workhorse, connecting cities throughout the vast Soviet Union and beyond. Its long-range capabilities allowed for international flights, contributing to the expansion of Soviet influence and connectivity in the aviation world.

Legacy and Influence

Even though production of the Il-18 ceased in 1978, its impact on the aviation industry remains significant. Many Il-18 aircraft were converted for various purposes, including cargo transportation, aerial surveys, and even as airborne laboratories. The aircraft's longevity and adaptability speak to its exceptional design and engineering.

Conclusion

The Ilyushin Il-18 holds a prominent place in aviation history, known for its reliability, performance, and passenger comfort. Its enduring legacy serves as a testament to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of the Soviet aircraft industry. Whether transporting passengers or playing a vital role in other sectors, the Il-18 will always be remembered as a true aviation icon.

General characteristics

• Crew: 9
• Capacity: 65-120 passengers
• Length: 35.9 m (117 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 37.4 m (122 ft 8 in)
• Height: 10.165 m (33 ft 4 in)
• Wing area: 140 m² (1,500 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 35,000 kg (77,162 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 64,000 kg (141,096 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 30,000 L (6,599 imp gal)
• Fuselage diameter: 3.5 m (11 ft)
• Max. landing weight: 52,600 kg (115,963 lb)
• Max. zero-fuel weight: 48,800 kg (107,586 lb)
• Max. taxi weight : 64,500 kg (142,198 lb)
• Powerplant: 4 × Ivchenko AI-20M axial flow turboprop engines, 3,170 kW (4,250 hp) each
• Propellers: 4-bladed AW-68 I constant speed feathering propellers, 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in) diameter
  
  • Auxiliary power unit: TG-16M (28 Volt DC)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 675 km/h (419 mph, 364 kn)
• Maximum speed: Mach 0.65
• Cruise speed: 625 km/h (388 mph, 337 kn) at 8,000 m (26,247 ft)
• Range: 6,500 km (4,000 mi, 3,500 nmi) with 6,500 kg (14,330 lb) payload, maximum fuel and reserves for one hour.
  • 3,700 km (2,299 mi) with 13,500 kg (29,762 lb) maximum payload, at 84 - 85% of maximum continuous power.
• Service ceiling: 11,800 m (38,700 ft)
• Approach minima: ICAO CAT 1 Decision Height 60 m (200 ft) / 800 m (Visibility) or 550 m RVR
• Take-off run: 1,350 m (4,429 ft)
• Landing run: 850 m (2,789 ft)

Avionics

• • RPSN-2AMG: or RPSN-2N Emblema weather radar
  • NAS-1B: autonomous navigation system
    • DISS-1: doppler speed/drift sensor
    • ANU-1: autonomous navigation computer
  • Put'-4M: navigation system
  • KS-6G: compass system
  • DAK-DB: remote celestial compass
  • RSBN-2S Svod: SHORAN (Svod - Dome)
  • SP-50 Materik: ILS
  • RV-UM: radio altimeter
  • NI-50BM-1: navigation display
  • ARK-11:main and backup ADF (automatic direction finder)
  • RSB-5/1230: communications radio
  • RSIU-5 (R802G): command link radio, 2 of.
  • SR-2M Khrom: IFF transponder (Khrom - Chromium)
  • MSRP-12-96: flight data recorder