ANTONOV COMPANY AND UKRAINIAN MILITARY FORCES MARKED JUBILEES OF AN-24 AND AN-26 WITH DEMO FLIGHTS

On October 18, 2019, the events devoted to the 50th anniversary of the AN-26 transport airplane’s maiden flight and the 60th anniversary of the AN-24 passenger aircraft were held. Nowadays, over 650 airplanes of the AN-24/AN-26 family are remaining in operation. In particular, they are used by units of MoD of Ukraine.

The following airplanes of the 15th squadron of transport aviation named after Oleg Antonov were displayed in the flight program at the territory of Kyiv-Antonov-2 airport:

• AN-24, which is used for transportation of the command authority, international delegations;
• AN-26, known by the name of “Lucky”, recovered within voluntary program “Fenix’s Wings” with participation of ANTONOV’s specialists;
• АN-30Б, which was named in honour of Hero of Ukraine colonel Kostyantyn Mohylko, commander of the air squadron by the President of Ukraine’s Decree.

The crews displayed high flying characteristics of their airplanes, their possibilities of airdropping troops and cargoes.

Congratulating the legendary aircraft, light multipurpose AN-28 of Antonov Airlines and ultralight Aeroprakt A-22, A-24, A-32, A-40 performed demo flights.

These airplanes became the most popular aircraft produced at Kyiv aviation plant. 1402 series AN-26s and 1028 AN-24s were constructed there. Passenger AN-24 and its modifications were also built in Ulan-Ude and Irkutsk. As a total, 1346 such airplanes were manufactured. Owing to high flight performance, structural reliability, ability to operate from/to unpaved airfields, operating economy and ease of maintenance, the aircraft were recognized not only in the domestic market, but also abroad. AN-24s were exported to 38 countries, AN-26 – to 29. Besides, aircraft of AN-24 type designated as Y7 were constructed in China.

At present, ANTONOV COMPANY fulfills program of these aircraft re-equipment aiming to improve their avionics in particular. ANTONOV also performs research and development works aiming to define possibilities and conditions to extend assigned service lives of AN-24/AN-26 fleet over 50 years.