NPO Molniya Molniya-1
| Molniya-1 | |
|---|---|
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| Role | Three surface utility aircraft |
| National origin | Russia |
| Manufacturer | NPO Molniya |
| First flight | 18 December 1992 |
| Number built | 2 by 2000 |
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The Molniya-1 is a six-seater utility aircraft designed and built in Russia during the 1990s.
Design and development
The Molniya-1 six-seat aircraft is a three surface design with a forward balanced canard surface and a square section fuselage with a Vedeneyev M14P nine cylinder radial engine in the rear. Twin booms carry fins with balanced and trim tabbed rudders and a high set tailplane, similarly tabbed and balanced.[1]
It was intended to cover a wide range of tasks including touring, cargo/mail carrying, business flights, aerial photography, patrol and air ambulance services. The three-surface configuration was intended to provide improved safety and fuel efficiency over conventional types, with the rear-mounted engine lowering cabin noise and vibration.[2] It flew for the first time on 18 December 1992.[1]
A Westernised version with a 260 kW (350 hp) Continental TSIO-550-B flat six engine and another, the Moliniya-3 with an Allison 250 turbopop, were proposed.[1] More broadly, the company were considering a number of larger types based on the three surface configuration.[3]
Operational history
In 1993 the design received a gold medal at the Eureka-93 World Inventors, Scientific Research and Know-How Salon in Brussels. It was demonstrated at the Le Bourget aero show in 1995.[2] Only two Moliniyas had been built by about 2000.[1]
Specifications (Molniya-1)
Data from Simpson 2001[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 5 passenger / 500 kg (1,100 lb) maximum payload
- Length: 7.87 m (25 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 8.51 m (27 ft 11 in)
- Height: 2.31 m (7 ft 7 in)
- Gross weight: 1,740 kg (3,836 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Vedeneyev M14PM-1 9-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled radial piston engine, 270 kW (360 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 322 km/h (200 mph; 174 kn)
- Cruising speed: 290 km/h (180 mph; 157 kn)
- Stall speed: 115 km/h (71 mph; 62 kn) [2]
- Range: 500 km (311 mi; 270 nmi) with maximum payload
- Rate of climb: 3.8 m/s (750 ft/min) at sea level