On March 18, 2008 (the last working day of the 1386th year in Iran) the fifth AN-140 serial passenger turboprop aircraft constructed at Iranian HESA plant performed its maiden flight. The flight duration was 15 minutes. The crew had no remarks. Mr.Ebrahimi, the crew captain, HESA?s test-pilot, noted good behavior of the aircraft in flight.
At present the assembly of other 3 AN-140s is being completed. In total, in accordance with the programme taken in Iran, 100 AN-140s are planned to be built.
Ukrainian enterprises of aviation industry participate actively in production of AN-140s in Iran. The cooperation of Ukraine and Iran within this programme is conducted according to the contract signed by ANTONOV ASTC with participation of Kharkiv State Aircraft Manufacturing Company (KSAMC), MotorSich JSC and HESA in the end of 1995. The fuselage, manufactured at the KSAMC (Ukraine), intended for final assembly of the ninth Iranian AN-140 was delivered to Iran by the Antonov Airlines aircraft in the very end of 2007.
For the enquiry:
The AN-140 is the regional aircraft intended for cargo-passenger transportations. On April 25, 2000, Aviation Register of the Interstate Aviation Committee and Ukraviatrans issued the type certificates to AN-140 and its modification AN-140-100.
Besides Iran, 5 AN-140s are actively operated in Ukraine and 2 ones - in Russia.
For the short period of operation the AN-140 won good reputation in the market of passenger transportations. In the result the demand for it grows constantly. Mr. Igor Garivadsky, chairman of the board of Aviacor-aviation plant JSC, said that in Russia demands for the AN-140 exceeds the offer. The plant intends to produce 44 AN-140s during the nearest 3 years.
Press-service of ANTONOV ASTC, March 19, 2008.
