willedoo Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 Looks like there might be a few cheap AN-2's coming on the market. UTair has been banned from operating their 47 AN-2's which form a large part of their cargo fleet. They've fallen victim to the current overhaul of the Russian domestic aviation industry. Utair operates more than 100 passenger jets, including more than 40 Boeing 757 & 737 types with plans to buy 10 more 767's next year. As well they have around 60 passenger turboprops, 340 helicopters worldwide & a small cargo fleet. Apart from the AN-2's, they have 7 other cargo planes, made up of 4 AN 26's and 3 AN-74's. Doesn't seem to be any problems with the rest of the fleet. There hasn't been any reason in the English speaking news as yet as to why they were banned, whether it's to do with their age or some other issues. They're a good safe old aircraft given adequate maintenance. I like the idea that they can fly at 30 kts under full control. There appears to be a good demand for them as privately owned, collectable classics, so they should be able to get rid of them easily. Fairly cheap to buy, but I'd guess they'd cost a fair bit to run & maintain. Cheers, Willie. http://en.rian.ru/russia/20111024/168059564.html [ATTACH=full]782[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]18020[/ATTACH]
Wayne T Mathews Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 An absolutely classic aircraft... But the maintenance on them... Jeezzzuus... It'd make ya wallet weep...
willedoo Posted October 25, 2011 Author Posted October 25, 2011 An absolutely classic aircraft... But the maintenance on them... Jeezzzuus... It'd make ya wallet weep... I suppose they were built in the days when fuel was cheap, I remember reading somewhere that the pre-flight check takes between 30-40 minutes. Was looking forward to seeing one at the recent Festival of Flight at Caboolture, but didn't even think about going as we had really bad weather & a few inches of rain that weekend. I guess the event would have been cancelled. I think there's one in Victoria that does joy flights. Cheers, Willie.
red750 Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 There are 2 An-2's on the Aussie register, VH-CCE and VH-NYT. Cant find a photo of YNT, but here's one of CCE "Big Bird". http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/076162.html Peter
willedoo Posted October 27, 2011 Author Posted October 27, 2011 Th There are 2 An-2's on the Aussie register, VH-CCE and VH-NYT. Cant find a photo of YNT, but here's one of CCE "Big Bird".http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/076162.html Peter Thanks, Peter, I saw that one (CCE) on a website advertising adventure flights, how current the site was, I don't know. I'd love to see one in the flesh & check out those spring loaded slats on the wing leading edge. I like this bit: A note from the pilot's handbook reads: "If the engine quits in instrument conditions (blind flying when you can't see the ground) or at night, the pilot should pull the control column full aft (it won't stall) and keep the wings level. The leading-edge slats will snap out at about 64 km/h (40 mph), and when the airplane slows to a forward speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph), the airplane will sink at about a parachute descent rate until the aircraft hits the ground." Cheers, Willie.
antonovcce Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 The antonov 2 is a fun aircraft to own, and yes it requires lots of money to keep it up and running.. Currently CCE is the only an2 airworthy in AUS,, YNT is having issues with the CofA process however i believe its almost completed. We have based CCE at Lilydale in Victoria for a few months to avoid the QLD storm season, and we will be conducting adventure flights ex yarra valley in it. more info can be found on our website.. www.an2.com.au
willedoo Posted October 30, 2011 Author Posted October 30, 2011 The antonov 2 is a fun aircraft to own, and yes it requires lots of money to keep it up and running.. Currently CCE is the only an2 airworthy in AUS,, YNT is having issues with the CofA process however i believe its almost completed.We have based CCE at Lilydale in Victoria for a few months to avoid the QLD storm season, and we will be conducting adventure flights ex yarra valley in it. more info can be found on our website.. www.an2.com.au Thanks for the information, looking forward to seeing it, and hopefully a flight. Cheers, Willie.
dazza 38 Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 Thanks for the information, looking forward to seeing it, and hopefully a flight.Cheers, Willie. Me Too, when she comes back to SE QLD
metalman Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 Lilydale eh,,,might have to drop by, I've been flying KAR the super dec there for a few months, would love a run in something like the AN2, the costs are dependant on full seating I guess?
metalman Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 Just had a look at the website, what sort of dual rate are you looking at for the AN2?
red750 Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 Today (Saturday) is a glorious sunny day (after a week of overcast and rain) in Melbourne, so I took a run out to Lilydale and got some photos of VH-CCE. Uploaded with ImageShack.us URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/vhcceantonovan2ylil2011.jpg/][/url] Uploaded with ImageShack.us URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/17/vhcceantonovan2ylil2011.jpg/][/url] Uploaded with ImageShack.us This shot shows the comparative size of the An-2 against the normal GA aircraft at YLIL, and the lush growth after recent rains. Uploaded with ImageShack.us
willedoo Posted November 5, 2011 Author Posted November 5, 2011 Thanks, Peter, really nice photos. That last one sure puts it in perspective, as far as size goes. Cheers, Willie.
red750 Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 Unfortunately the owner wasn't present, but there is a charity day next Sunday when he will be giving joyrides. Hope I can get out to get some action shots. A few other aircraft expected to fly in as well. There's a guy out there who has a Tiger Moth which has been unregistered for 20 years, which he has just got flying again. It was in the hangar today, maybe out next week. Regards, Peter.
Scottw Posted November 6, 2011 Posted November 6, 2011 Here are a couple of pics of the AN-2 in action up here in QLD
red750 Posted November 6, 2011 Posted November 6, 2011 Nice shots, Scott. Hopefully the weather will be good next Sunday, when the Big Bird is supposed to be flying. If everything works out I hope to get some action shots and perhaps some video. Peter.
willedoo Posted November 6, 2011 Author Posted November 6, 2011 Just wondering where it's based when it's in Queensland? Cheers, Willie.
Spin Posted November 6, 2011 Posted November 6, 2011 Lives at Archer normally, Willie. Previous owner had her hangared out at Watts Bridge.
willedoo Posted November 6, 2011 Author Posted November 6, 2011 Lives at Archer normally, Willie. Previous owner had her hangared out at Watts Bridge. Thanks, Spin, I'll keep an eye out for it when it's back up here. Cheers, Willie.
Old Koreelah Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 What an awesome aircraft! I happened on one at Wanaka last week- what's left of the Warbirds museum was closed, and the nearby Toy and Machinery museum was well worth the dozen $. An AN-2 towered over cars, bikes and other historic relics, and it was fascinating to see the wing structure up close. As can be seen in Scottw's pix it has what looks like full-span slotted flaperons on both upper and lower wings. Not so, there is a gap between flaps and ailerons, but their stricture is near-identical. At high AoA air flow is accelerated up and over the upper surface, improving low-speed control. Perhaps a design we home builders can learn from. Incidentally, i believe an AN-2 was once used by a whole family or three to defect from the Soviet bloc to the west.
red750 Posted November 13, 2011 Posted November 13, 2011 More info and images of the An-2: First flight: 1947 Manufactured from 1947 to 1997 - the longest production run on record, 50 years - 20,000 built The world's largest single engined bi-plane Seats 14 - 12 pax and 2 crew Carried over 100 million passengers Compare the size with a Piper Warrior (note the wing shadows - they are side by side) Topping up the engine oil. (Climb the steps on the port side, just forward of the tail, walk up the spine, andover the cockpit windscreen. Note the walkway on the photo above.) Dipping the fuel tank (And they complain about checking the tanks in a Cessna!) Peter.
red750 Posted November 14, 2011 Posted November 14, 2011 This photo shows the footholes and handholds for climbing on the aircraft.
Caa Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 [ATTACH=full]952[/ATTACH] VH-YNT now flying, based at Emkaytee 40km south of Darwin [ATTACH]18088[/ATTACH]
willedoo Posted January 11, 2012 Author Posted January 11, 2012 VH-YNT now flying, based at Emkaytee 40km south of Darwin Thanks Caa, That's good news, hope to see it one day. Cheers, Willie.
siznaudin Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 [ATTACH=full]952[/ATTACH]VH-YNT now flying, based at Emkaytee 40km south of Darwin "The Toy Box" ... I love it !
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