Stal-6

The Stal‑6 was a Soviet‑era experimental transport aircraft produced by the State Scientific Research Institute of Civil Aviation (GGI) during the late 1970s. Conceived as a successor to the aging Il‑18 series, the program began in 1972 with the goal of demonstrating advanced aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and fuel‑efficient operation for medium‑range routes. The prototype first flew on 14 July 1979 from the Gromov Flight Test Centre and completed a ten‑year test programme that included high‑altitude cruise, short‑field performance and extensive corrosion‑resistance trials.

Key features of the Stal‑6 included a semi‑monocoque fuselage built from a novel aluminum‑magnesium alloy called “Stal‑6” (steel‑aluminium composite), twin high‑bypass turbofan engines mounted on the rear fuselage, a laminar‑flow wing with winglets, and a fully pressurised, ergonomic cabin that could accommodate up to 150 passengers. Fly‑by‑wire control surfaces and an integrated avionics suite marked the aircraft as one of the first Soviet civil types to adopt Western‑style digital flight‑management systems.

Although the Stal‑6 never entered mass production, its technology cascade influenced later designs such as the Yak‑42 and the early models of the Ilyushin Il‑214, cementing its place as a pivotal stepping stone in the modernization of Soviet civil aviation.

State Scientific Research Institute of Civil Aviation

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification