"Baikal" on the rise: developer talks about testing the new LMS-901 aircraft

Experts managed to significantly reduce the force in the elevator control channel, improve stability and handling characteristics

The LMS-901 Baikal, created at the Ural Civil Aviation Plant to replace the An-2, will be produced in a conveyor manner. This cargo-passenger aircraft with a VK-800 engine will be able to carry 9 people or 1.5 tons of cargo for 1.5 thousand km. The Baikal is undergoing flight tests and, according to experts, will be in demand in air transportation and other industries.

Most of the activities necessary to eliminate the shortcomings of the flight evaluation have already been implemented on the aircraft... Experts managed to significantly reduce the force in the elevator control channel, improve stability and handling characteristics in the full range of centerings and take-off weights.

representative of UZGA

Testing new aircraft is necessary to identify "childhood diseases" and test engineering solutions and flight performance characteristics.

Currently, UZGA is focused on work to re-engine the Baikal. The multi-purpose aircraft should receive a domestic VK-800SM engine to replace the Czech-American General Electric H80-100.

Any new engine is progress. The requirements for the resources of our aviation equipment are quite serious now. If this engine meets all the requirements and standards of the customer, then this is only a huge plus for our small aviation.

representative of UZGA

As explained at the enterprise, the LMS-901 was initially created with a foreign power plant "to a greater extent to speed up the development and certification process of the aircraft." At the same time, the prospect of equipping the aircraft with a Russian engine "was always assumed."