Putin's IL-96-300?

[robert arndt]

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=110953

Is it, or does he still prefer the modified IL-76?

Rob

[Ken Duffey]

robert arndt wrote:

> http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=110953
>
> Is it, or does he still prefer the modified IL-76?
>
> Rob

From the English-language Russian magazine 'Air Fleet' - No 2.2003
(Issue 37)..............

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'New "Air One"........

The Voronezh Aircraft Joint-Stock Company (VASO) is completing the new
presidential Il-96-300PU....

The a/c was launched into production as one of the three presidential
Il-96-300's in Voronezh in 1992. However, in the mid-1990's only one a/c
(Reg No RA-96012) was manufactured and handed over to the Rossiya State
Transportation Company.........
.....
Production of the second 'Air One' was resumed only in November 2001.
The flight tests .... started this May.....

When the new a/c enters service, RA-96012 (currently 'Air One') will be
used as a standby a/c (at the moment an Il-62M is on standby).

Powered by Russian PS-90A engines.... features special passenger cabin
and special comms....
With this new a/c, President Putin can carry out non-stop flights to any
corner of the world - range is 12,000km
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is just a precis of the short news item in Air Fleet.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++
Ken Duffey - Flanker Freak & Russian Aviation Enthusiast
Flankers Website - http://www.flankers.co.uk/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++