A group of Russian companies have joined forces on a project to convert six Tupolev Tu-204 narrow-body jets to VIP transports. The agreement was announced at the JetExpo show in Moscow this week. According to Vitaly Romanyuk, president of Russia’s Association of Aviation Interior Companies AKA) and general director of Vemina-Aviaprestige, all six aircraft are to be completed over a two-year period, with the first ready for service in 2016.
The role of UIianovsk-based Leasing Avia, with help of financial institutions from St. Petersburg, is to provide funds for components such as Aviadvigatel/Perm Motors PS-90A turbofans, Stupino TA12-60 APUs and avionics blocks from KRET. Interiors will be provided by a group of local completions specialists Vemina-Aviaprestige, Kvand, AKKO, AeroStyle and other association members.
Romanyuk said the six Tu-204s are follow-ons to a pair of similarly equipped aircraft ordered by the Russian government for Special Air Detachment (Russian acronym SLO), a Russian governmental fleet that serves President Putin and his ministers. “These two airframes are very close to completion. I am sure the first will be delivered later this year and the second in early 2016,” Romanyuk told AIN. “We have already assembled two complete sets of interiors and shipped them to Aviastar-SP. The plant is completing the installation work before flight tests and customer delivery.”
The Tu-204-300 on display at JetExpo’2015 (registration RA-64057) “provides a good example of what Russian completions specialists can offer the business aviation community,” Romanyuk said. The middle of the aircraft consists of a conference room and bedroom suite, including a bathroom with a shower. The forward fuselage section is equipped with 12 to 16 business class seats, while the rear represents a typical airline economy class section with 26 rows of six-abreast seating. “This airplane has been in active service for five years now, demonstrating high reliability and passenger comfort. Clearly, the customer benefits from the best technologies available from local manufacturers and service providers,” Romanyuk said.
Basing on experience gained during design, completion and after-sales support of RA-64057 and other Tu-204/214s in SLO fleet, the local companies have refined their technologies and design solutions. “We have developed a number of interior options for existing and potential Tu-204 buyers,” said Romanyuk.
With a maximum gross weight of 105 metric tons, the Tu-204-300 has fuel capacity for a range of 9,500 km (5,130 nm) with 25 passengers on board. The airframe has a life limit of 45,000 flying hours and 25,000 flight cycles. “This aircraft type has proved ideal for fulfilling a wide range of governmental and corporate missions, and it is also a good platform for special-mission aircraft. Most of such aircraft in service can fly up to 10,000 km [5,400 nm] nonstop, and come with a [reserve] crew rest area.”
“The technologies are developing further,” he added, “and today we are offering a number of improvements including high-g-tolerant seats in first and business class, as well as lighter and more convenient folding tables.” Romanyuk also praised the Vemina fashion house, which is a sister company to Vemina-Aviaprestige. “We offer these design features, but the governmental customers tend not to request them, preferring instead a classic style for their aircraft cabins. But these solutions can find clients in the business community.”
Most of interior design and completion work is performed by Russian companies. In order to cut expenses and develop in-house expertise, he said, “we have reduced import intake to an absolute minimum. Foreign supply is confined to materials, natural leather, rare kinds of wood/timber, coatings, glues and other chemicals.”