KhAI KhAI-5
National Aerospace University – Kharkiv Aviation Institute · Soviet Union · first flew 1936 · transport aircraft
The KhAI-5 was a sleek Soviet low-wing monoplane designed at the Kharkiv Aviation Institute in the mid-1930s, intended for fast mail and light transport duties. Its aerodynamically clean design gave it a respectable top speed for its era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine Soviet low-wing monoplane of the 1930s
- Clean cantilever wing with retractable undercarriage
- Light transport/mail aircraft with enclosed cabin
Recognized by its low cantilever wing, single nose-mounted radial engine, and clean fuselage typical of 1930s Soviet light transport designs.
Specifications
- The KhAI KhAI-5 has a length of 9.3 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.2 m (40 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 350 km/h (217 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by the KhAI design bureau in Kharkiv and first flown in 1936, the aircraft was built at the Kharkiv and Saratov aviation plants. It represented Soviet efforts to develop modern cantilever monoplane transports in the pre-war period.
Variants
Production variants included minor refinements to the engine installation and cabin arrangement, though the type remained in limited service.
Where you'll see it
Operated primarily within the Soviet Union on domestic mail and light passenger routes in the late 1930s.
Related aircraft
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