The new regional aircraft LMS-901 "Baikal" is not needed in the North, as there are no well-prepared runways there. Aircraft designer Yury Petrov spoke about the shortcomings of the future replacement for the An-2.
According to him, the "Baikal" was originally built for the middle latitudes, but even there, things are not so clear-cut.
For the middle latitudes, too, not everything is clear, as if pioneers in a club made it. The wing was bent for some reason, the center of pressure shifted. The landing gear was unsuccessful, they are redoing it now, but the plane still scrapes its belly on the ground.
Petrov explained that the LMS-901 is only suitable for flat, well-prepared runways and passengers in suits with briefcases. Therefore, specifically in northern conditions, the "Baikal" will not be able to replace the An-2, despite all desires.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin stated that the "Baikal" should be ready for serial production no later than the end of 2026.
Oleg Smirnov, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Commission of the Public Council of Rostransnadzor, called for an investigation into where billions allocated for the development of LMS-901 went.