Author Topic: Russian planes in the U.S. (Read 760 times)

Boroda · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2005, 11:54:53 AM »

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Originally posted by nirvana
Because Antonov planes are too damn big. Seriously, I think it's because some corporate fat cats are still wary of the Russians, that the planes will be sabotaged or something. They buy Boeing because it's like buying an American made car, stimulates the U.S. economy (supposedly).

Hmm, I may be wrong, but some Western cargo companies use An-124 Ruslans, but it may be just an off-shore firm that got the planes here in 1992 for a price of several VCRs.

Ruslans are used on cargo charters since 80s, for example, Pink Floyd used two An-124s during their 1987-88 tour.

Antonov isn't a Russian design bureau, it's Ukrainian.

As for noise standards - IMHO now it's nothing more then another dirty competition trick. For example: since Euros banned most of the Soviet-made planes for noise issues - RF is expected to ban most of the Airbus production for not meeting Russian safety standards: they have only two engines. The only problem is that modern Tu-204 also has two engines

When I lived in Leningrad - our windows were looking at Pulkovo runways, I could see planes taking off and landing, it wasn't as noisy as my flat in Moscow with windows looking at the highway.

As for reliability - Soviet standards were quite high. There were some ****-ups like An-10, but generally they are at least as reliable as Boeings or Airbus, especially if they get some maintenance. Some planes are extraordinarly reliable, for example: only two IL-86 ever lost, one was on ferry from Msk to SPb with drunk crew without passengers, and another one was completely destroyed in New Delhi airport - a 737 felt on it.

Dinger · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2005, 12:10:07 PM »

Dunno. I've been on the tarmac when those russian birds taxi in. Those things are unholy loud. I mean, adrenaline runs up and down your spine. You hear them well before you see them: "What the hell is that coming?", and these are big jets.

The reason you don't see more of them in the US is much like the reason you don't see many DC-8s, 707s and 727s (or L-1011s and DC-10s, for that matter): they're old, fuel-inefficient and loud. They can still make money in those parts of the business that don't require them to be flying all the time (charter, freight), but for your "line business" of moving passengers around with thin profit margins, you need something a little newer.

Boroda is right though: Russian aviation engineering, especially during the cold war era, is a thing of beauty. Hell, I'm betting the MEL for some of those birds only includes one wing!

Fishu · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2005, 12:10:33 PM »

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Originally posted by Boroda
As for noise standards - IMHO now it's nothing more then another dirty competition trick. For example: since Euros banned most of the Soviet-made planes for noise issues - RF is expected to ban most of the Airbus production for not meeting Russian safety standards: they have only two engines. The only problem is that modern Tu-204 also has two engines

Really? It has forced other manufacturers to invest in quieter technology too.
Whats unfair in that?
Ex-eastern block manufacturers just didn't care to also do so and are now crying and blaming others for their mistake?

...and what about the fuel economy? those things are literally SMOKING fuel!

Wolfala · « **Reply #18 on:** December 12, 2005, 12:45:23 PM »

I know of a few outfits based in the UK that use AN-124's, and there is an AN-124 that flies into Moffett field for NASA / JPL up in Sunnyvale on a monthly basis. Has a unique sound and gets me outside everytime.

ATA · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2005, 06:45:25 PM »

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Originally posted by Yeager
hey raider, heres an eye opener for you.....go look around your house, apartment....whatever... and come back here and report on how many items were made in either the soviet union or russia. Apart from vodka.

Im betting the number is zero or close to it.

Funny thing that houses in USA are actualy unsafe.Considering amount of hurrycanes in US every house should be made of bricks/stone.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 12, 2005, 07:10:48 PM »

Considering you know nothing about the topic ATA, why do you comment on it?

storch · « **Reply #21 on:** December 12, 2005, 07:11:46 PM »

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Originally posted by ATA
Funny thing that houses in USA are actualy unsafe.Considering amount of hurrycanes in US every house should be made of bricks/stone.

the Dade County and Florida Building code is the most stringent in the world. even our fences can withstand more wind force the the rest of the world's domestic structures. our homes, when built to the current code can withstand a Cat5 storm. my house which was built in 1958 didn't even suffer roof tile damage in any hurricanes since it's construction. the roof is still original. the only damage suffered by homes here is when they are impacted by wind driven debris or falling trees. the rest of the country is slowly revising their building codes to Dade County code standard.

nirvana · « **Reply #22 on:** December 12, 2005, 10:01:37 PM »

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Originally posted by ATA
Funny thing that houses in USA are actualy unsafe.Considering amount of hurrycanes in US every house should be made of bricks/stone.

PFFFFT since when do they get hurricanes in Russia, ATA?

I could blow down those chalets with an air horn. American houses are uber strong, not to mention sexy. Don't even get me started on trailer parks....

Skilless · « **Reply #23 on:** December 12, 2005, 10:42:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Yeager
hey raider, heres an eye opener for you.....go look around your house, apartment....whatever... and come back here and report on how many items were made in either the soviet union or russia. Apart from vodka.

Im betting the number is zero or close to it.

As a matter of fact I have several Russian made foot pedals for my guitar. It turns out Soviet electronics geeks got very good at copying American (western) electronic design during the Cold War when it was next to impossible to get authentic gear there. After the colapse of their military/industrial complex in the early nineties and capitalism began to take hold a few of those factories were converted to make consumer/musical electronics. As many of you know the Soviets were very good at making reliable vacuum tubes and the vacuum tube is a major key to getting a really good tone from an electric guitar. Russian made Sovtech tubes are in A LOT of US made music gear today. On top of music gear the Russians have gotten into the car stereo market too. A lot of the low end aftermarket car stereos are manufactured in Russia.

VOR · « **Reply #24 on:** December 12, 2005, 11:00:50 PM »

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Originally posted by storch
a local FBO has a company flying cargo to the caribbean which utilizes AN12s and AN26s.

DHL flies AN-12s, AN-26s and IL-76s as well as a few beat up 727s in and out of here.

Chairboy · « **Reply #25 on:** December 12, 2005, 11:41:34 PM »

Not to mention the english language.

ATA · « **Reply #26 on:** December 13, 2005, 12:16:00 AM »

It's my second you now,how many do you speak?

Chairboy · « **Reply #27 on:** December 13, 2005, 12:22:40 AM »

Not many, only 5, two fluently. I can order food in the other 3 though.

I only made the crack because seriously, I didn't understand a single thing in the preceeding message. The flaw may be on my side, I just didn't get it.

ATA · « **Reply #28 on:** December 13, 2005, 12:27:18 AM »

Well most likely it was my fault.So what are they,may i ask?

Chairboy · « **Reply #29 on:** December 13, 2005, 12:35:58 AM »

English and german, followed in descending order by Spanish, then (don't laugh) Esperanto, and then pidgin Japanese. In normal conversation, I'd say I speak 3 languages, but you got my feathers up with your snarkiness.

I know, I know, you're from Europe and speak 10 languages, and us simple US folks are the butt of jokes.