Iljushin IL-96

The Ilyushin IL‑96 is a wide‑body, long‑range commercial airliner developed in the Soviet Union during the 1980s and produced by the Russian aerospace firm Ilyushin. Designed to replace older Soviet transports such as the Tu‑154 and to compete with Western jets like the Boeing 747, the IL‑96 made its first flight on 29 December 1988 and entered commercial service in 1995 with Aeroflot. The aircraft features a four‑engine configuration using high‑bypass turbofan engines (initially the Kuznetsov NK‑93, later the Aviadvigatel PS‑90A), a high‑wing layout, and a spacious pressurised cabin that can accommodate 260‑300 passengers in a typical three‑class arrangement. Advanced avionics, fly‑by‑wire flight controls, and a robust landing‑gear system enable operations from both major hubs and less‑developed airfields. Although limited production numbers—approximately 70 units—were built, the IL‑96 pioneered Russian integration of modern digital flight decks and demonstrated the capability to fly nonstop routes exceeding 10,000 km. Its variants, including the freighter IL‑96‑300P and military tanker IL‑96‑400T, continue to serve niche markets, underscoring the type’s lasting impact on post‑Soviet civil aviation and strategic airlift capability. Its continued operation affirms Ilyushin’s engineering legacy and provides a platform for future Russian aerospace developments.

Ilyushin

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