[Rusia] TsAGI specialists develop a convertible airplane concept for regional aviation

Specialists of the Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute named after professor N.E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI, part of the National Research Center “Institute named after N.E. Zhukovsky”) have designed a light convertible aircraft concept. The aircraft is supposed to be fitted with two turboprop engines. Its distinguishing feature is an option of using it both for passenger and cargo transportation without any changes required in the standard design. The aircraft is capable of carrying 50 passengers a distance of 1,500 km or 6 tons of cargo a distance of 1,000 km.

To implement the concept, the Institute scientists have researched a light convertible aircraft mockup in TsAGI’s low-speed wind tunnel. The goal of the tests was to estimate the take-off and landing characteristics, as well as cruise performance of the aircraft. The research has proved considerable information on the advanced aircraft’s aerodynamic characteristics in a wide range of angles of attack and gliding angles.

“The concept offered by TsAGI scientists will provide Russian aviation with a new turboprop aircraft for cargo-and-passenger transportation in local and regional routes as soon as possible, thus increasing the accessibility of the country’s regions by air,” Vladimir Chernousov, the Chief Designer of the light convertible aircraft project and the Lead Engineer of the Aircraft Aerodynamics and Flight Dynamics Complex explained. “Our experience in designing an aircraft of this class will allow minimizing technical and financial risks.”