"Soviet Airbus": How the Il-86 Became a Response to the Global Aviation Boom

The late 1960s became a time of rapid growth in the popularity of air passenger transportation around the world. The Soviet Union did not stand aside from this global trend. In 1969, the Ilyushin Design Bureau received an important task: to begin designing a medium-range passenger aircraft designed to carry a significant number of passengers.

The prototype of the Il-86 aircraft made its first test flight on December 22, 1976. In 1980, certification tests were completed, and at the end of December, the aircraft went on its first regular flight.

In 1981, the Il-86 set 18 world speed records on closed routes with a payload of 35 to 80 tons.

The Il-86 became a pioneer among Soviet passenger aircraft, with a wide fuselage and the ability to carry up to 350 passengers.

Key advantages of the Il-86: its high level of reliability and safety, as well as comfortable conditions for passengers.

Over three decades of operation, the Il-86 has not been involved in aviation accidents that caused the death of passengers.

106 aircraft of all modifications were produced between 1980 and 1997 at the Voronezh Aviation Plant

By 2011, Soviet Il-86 airliners had ceased passenger transportation.

Currently, two Il-80 VKP (airborne command post) aircraft, created on the basis of the Il-86, are still in flight condition as part of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation.

Flight performance characteristics of the aircraft:

• Overall dimensions: length - 59.94 m, wingspan - 48.06 m, height - 15.81 m, wing area - 320 m².
• Empty weight: 111.5 t.
• Maximum take-off weight: 215 t.
• Fuel weight in internal tanks: 88,000 kg.
• Crew: 3-4 people.
• Passenger capacity: 3-class layout - 314 people, 2-class layout - 234 people, economy - 350 people.
• Maximum speed: 950 km/h.
• Practical range: 5250 km, 3800 km (maximum take-off weight).

• 4 × TRDD NK-86. Thrust - 4 × 13,000 kgf.
• Auxiliary power unit: 1 × GTD APU-10.

Earlier,www1.ru reported thatRostec plans to increase the annual production of Il-114-300, SJ-100, MS-21 and Tu-214 by 2030.

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