Sukhoi

S-80GP
Cargo-passenger aircraft

    A baseline version of the S-80GP aircraft is intended for airline companies rendering passenger and cargo transportation services on local and regional air routes,Assemle of first S-80 Initially the S-80GP project was originated by the Sukhoi Design Bureau on its own initiative but later it was joined by its traditional partner - the KnAAPO aircraft production plant from Komsomolsk-on-the-Amur, which converted a part of its production capacities to serve civil aviation needs. Currently the KnAAPO is completing necessary preparations for commercial production of the S-80 aircraft, the SibNIA research institute is finishing static tests of the first aircraft, maiden flight of the first aircraft is scheduled for this August.
    The S-80GP is a highly effective transportation vehicle capable of yielding a profit for airline companies even in the conditions of constrained cost rates for passenger and cargo transportation services. General airframe configuration of the aircraft, its architecture, type of power plant and maintenance and servicing strategy were designed so that minimal direct operational costs and thus, high commercial profitability, could be ensured.
    Taking into account specificities typical of aircraft operation in Russia, developers of the S-80GP have furnished this aircraft with a number of technical solutions which allow self-sufficient stationing and operation of the aircraft. The cargo loading ramp in the fuselage rear, removable roller guides and hoist lift facilitate loading and unloading operations. The twin-boom design of the aircraft with the P-shape empennage makes it possible for a forklift or a truck to park in the close proximity to the ramp. With a locked propeller a left engine of the S-80 can perform as a power supply unit providing operation of the on-board systems without connection to an external power source. Takeoff and landing characteristics of the S-80GP aircraft as well as its instrumentation complex allow landing and takeoff from short runways including unpaved runways of unequipped air fields.С-80ПГ
    Analysis indicate that neither cargo nor passenger aircraft alone operated on local air routes can be really profitable. That is why the Sukhoi Design Bureau has developed a convertible aircraft which can be easily transformed from a passenger airliner into a cargo transport and backward. Prior to cargo transportation hand luggage shelves inside the cabin shall be folded and passenger seats removed. After preparation for passenger transportation cabin interior remains unchanged and level of comfort is maximally close to the generally accepted standards for medium-range aircraft.
    The S-80GP is fitted with CT7-9B turboprop engines manufactured by General Electric. Similar turboprop engines are used on the SAAB-340, CN-235 and L-610 aircraft. As of today there is more than 1,400 CT7 engines in use worldwide ant their total operating time combined is 13 million hours. Reliability of the engine is 99.92 per cent. For marketing of the engine in Russia General Bectrics and Rybinsk Motors plant founded a joint company which would assist airline companies operating CT7 engines, would supply them with accessories and spare parts as well as would provide personnel training. Engine in question is certified for operation in Russia and is adjusted for local fuel and oils. Cost analysis of the entire life cycle of CT7 confirmed its cost efficiency."Полет" С-80
    Flight, technical and operational characteristics of the S-80GP aircraft will make this air vehicle a successful replacement for Russian and foreign-make aircraft, namely the An-28, Yak-40, L-410, CASA C-212, Dornier 228 and partly An-24, An-26, operating on the local and regional air routes. Market analysis indicated that by 2006 the fleet of S-80GP aircraft exported to various countries worldwide can amount to 150-200 while amount of the domestically operated aircraft can be about 120-180. First three-five models of this aircraft - S-80GP version - will be operated by airline companies owned by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and KnAAPO aircraft plant. Such an approach shall contribute to the expedient promotion of sales on the domestic and international market.
    During the design phase using a baseline version of the S-80PG, a troop carrier, medical, pilot training and navigator training version of this aircraft was developed. Development of a version with elongated fuselage for 36 passenger seats is now being discussed and given a consideration.

S-80PT a patrol-transport version
S-80PT

S-80 on take-off run"Полет" С-80

References and Credits:

  1. Cargo-passenger aircraft S-80 / Aerospace Herald № 3 '1999, 3,4 '2000 /
  2. S-80 will bring to airlines profit /«Aviapanorama», 5-6 1998 /
  3. S-80 / Passenger airplanes of the world /