Confusion surrounds Ilyushin's plans for the Il-112

Published: 5/19/2000

According to sources within the Ilyushin Design Bureau, the recently reported plans to build a high-wing 40-seat version of the Il-114, designated the Il-112, as highly premature even if the funds were available and they are currently not. In fact the sources are confused as to why the aircraft has been described as a high-wing version of the Il-114, given that it was originally planned in 1994 as an alternative to the Ukrainian An-38. The design of the T-tailed aircraft since its inception in 1994, has been enlarged and developed into a number of concepts including a 4,000 kg payload Il-112T rear-door cargo aircraft powered by the Klimov TV7-117. The latter is used in the early versions of the Il-114, but is looking increasing unattractive with recent buyers opting for the P&W PW127F turboprops. The plans for the aircraft, according to media reports, are almost complete and the aircraft will be built at VASO in Voronezh by late next year. The plant originally proposed to build the aircraft was KAPP at Kumertau , which primarily manufactures Kamov helicopters. The move to push the production of the aircraft at VASO appears curious as KAPO sources see it potentially as a threat to future sales of the Il-114. Which, given the efforts of Ilyushin to create a single joint stock entity encompassing the bureau and the two production plants VASO and KAPO, seems a strange method of wooing KAPO and the Uzbekistan government, its major supporter and shareholder. However, recent reports suggested that the VASO/Ilyushin merger is the only deal likely to be successfully concluded in the short term, Sources with the bureau also suggest that the reports of President Putin's support to produce the Il-112 are unlikely to be honoured in funds and the idea of another aircraft, even one with high intakes, is a feature questioned by many as having no significant marketing advantage in the current market. As for the aircraft having better prospects in Russia's struggling air transport sector than the existing Il-114 built at KAPO, the proposition is dismissed. Elsewhere Ilyushin is toiling on the Il-96T/M programme with rumours of disputes with Aeroflot regarding the continuing development of the Il-96T, with joint flights suspended in March. The goal of manufacturing 20 of the T/M series looking increasingly remote and the short run of the Il-96-300 offers little consolation.

Article ID: 1799