Ilyushin Il-96-300
Ilyushin · Soviet Union · first flew 1988 · airliner
The Ilyushin Il-96-300 is a four-engined wide-body long-range airliner developed in the Soviet Union as a successor to the Il-86, featuring a new supercritical wing with winglets and modern Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofans. It entered service with Aeroflot in 1992.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbofan, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Four-engined wide-body airliner with winglets |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four-engined wide-body airliner with winglets
- PS-90A turbofans in under-wing pods
- Broad low-swept wing with raked wingtips
Distinguishable from the similar Il-86 by its raked winglets, shorter and narrower fuselage, and the more widely spaced engine pods on the low-swept wing; smaller than the Il-86 despite the superficially similar layout.
Specifications
- The Ilyushin Il-96-300 has a length of 55.35 m (182 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 57.66 m (189 ft).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in September 1988, the Il-96-300 was the first Soviet wide-body aircraft with a fly-by-wire flight control system. Limited production meant only a small number entered airline service, primarily with Aeroflot and Cubana. The type has also been used as a VIP transport for Russian government officials, with specially configured examples serving as the Russian presidential aircraft.
Variants
The Il-96-300 was the initial passenger variant; the Il-96M was a stretched version with Pratt & Whitney PW2337 engines for potential Western certification; the Il-96T was a freighter; the Il-96-400 was a further stretched domestic variant.
Where you'll see it
The Il-96-300 has operated in limited numbers with Aeroflot and Cubana de Aviación, with production continuing at a very low rate; its primary ongoing significance is as the Russian Presidential aircraft fleet.
Related aircraft
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