VOLGA-DNEPR AIRLINES STARTS PHASE FOUR OF AN-124-100 MODERNISATION

Farnborough, July 2002. Volga-Dnepr Airlines, market leader in the international outsize air cargo market has launched the fourth stage of the Antonov An-124-100 modernisation programme.

At Farnborough-2002 International Volga-Dnepr Airlines, Antonov Design Bureau, Aviastar-SP and Russia's Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) signed an agreement to launch the fourth phase of the An-124-100 modernisation programme.

After completion of the fourth modernisation stage the aircraft will be designated An-124-100M and will have increased payload and maximum take-off weight and increased range contributing to greater overall capability for the airline capabilities. Payload will be increased from the present standard maximum of 120 tonnes to 150 tonnes and maximum take-off weight will be 402 tonnes. The new An-124-100M will comply with ICAO Chapter IV regulations that become effective starting from 2006.

Volga-Dnepr, together with Antonov Design Bureau (An-124-100 design authority) and Progress (D18T engine designer) are co-operating on engine modernisation, and the airline is completing design documentation to equip the aircraft with the improved accuracy BRNAV-1 zone navigation system.

"Volga-Dnepr is strategically oriented to intensive development and annually spends a considerable amount of money on airworthiness, modernisation and fleet expansion issues?, says Volga-Dnepr's Technical Director Viktor Tolmachev.

As the leading An-124-100 operator Volga-Dnepr Airlines initiated both the modernisation programme and aircraft certification to Western standards. Now with the support of aviation research centres and aviation authorities in Russia and Ukraine, three stages of the modernisation programme have been completed. Volga-Dnepr has already invested more than US$60 million of its own and continues financing the modernisation programme. One of the most important results of the modernisation programme is the extension of An-124-100 service life to 24,000 flight hours or 25 years.

All Volga-Dnepr's An-124-100s comply with current ICAO regulations. All are equipped with Russian-built Orlan 8.33 KHz-spaced VHF radios, Allied Signal TCAS-2000 as well as Mode S transponder for Reduced Vertical Separation Minima operations and BRNAV-5 systems.

As a separate part of the modernisation programme Volga-Dnepr is working on improving loading/unloading equipment for transporting outsize cargo. Each load is a separate engineering task and demands unique technical solutions. Some of these are design patented.

Today Volga-Dnepr has the following loading equipment for the An-124-100:
• Rail loading system for mono cargo of weight up to 130 tonnes.
• Equipment for loading cargo of 80 tonnes without cranes.
• Equipment for aerospace cargo (light but outsize).
• Equipment for large trucks.
• A double-deck system to accommodate up to 55 cars or 40-45 4 x 4 vehicles.
• Internal overhead travelling crane of 40 tonne capacity.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines is the world's largest An-124-100 operator. Currently the company's fleet includes nine aircraft of this type. All aircraft comply with current ICAO regulations.