The Russian regional airliner Il-114-300 is being developed with consideration for conditions where the operation of foreign counterparts might be difficult. The aircraft is designed to operate at airfields with limited infrastructure, including unpaved runways, as well as in high latitudes, explained Honored Military Pilot Denis Pogodin.
According to him, the design of the Il-114-300 initially takes into account Russian operating conditions.
The Il-114-300 was designed with consideration for operation at airfields with limited infrastructure and unpaved runways, where there is no ideal surface and modern equipment. It is not being created to compete with foreign aircraft on their terms, but to operate in conditions where other aircraft would not be able to fly at all.
Pogodin named the ability to operate in the Arctic as a distinct advantage of the turboprop aircraft. The onboard equipment allows the Il-114-300 to be based at latitudes up to 81° and operated up to 89°.
It should be noted that the Il-114-300 is often compared to foreign Dash 8-400 and ATR-72. "Pervy Tekhnichesky" conducted an analysis and found out the strengths and weaknesses of the domestic aircraft against its competitors.