Yak-142: the one and only

Historically and structurally, this aircraft can be conditionally considered a logical continuation of the Ya-42, and more precisely, the Yak-40. The first of them was an improved version of its predecessor, it outperformed its competitors and could confidently occupy a leading position in its market niche. However, a series of air crashes did not allow this to be done. Despite the fact that the design of the aircraft was “not to blame” for the accidents, they decided to modernize the car.


The next version was called the Yak-42D. The aircraft was created and certified in 1987. The aircraft was equipped with a set of equipment that provides automatic control.


The car could land in any weather conditions, was equipped according to the requirements of Western standards, the TCAS II navigation system, GPS. However, such sophisticated equipment constantly failed, so they decided to develop the next option - the Yak-142 (Yak-42M).

Goals

Compared to its predecessor, the new car was supposed to be more aerodynamically advanced and consume less fuel. So in the end it turned out: the new aircraft is distinguished by an elongated, more “slender” fuselage and efficiency. The car (prototype) was released in 1992 and was presented to the public in 1993, first in the capital of the Russian Federation, then in France (Le Bourget) and Germany (Berlin). At the same time, the index "142" was finally assigned to the aircraft.

Design

It is an all-metal low-wing aircraft, made according to a cantilever scheme with plumage in the form of the letter "T". The swept wings have a one-piece design, the fuselage is made of modern light and durable alloys. Chassis with retractable struts is made on three pillars, equipped with brake systems. The front wheel is steering.

Power point

Its role is played by three D-36 three-shaft engines. The unit is quite old: its mass production was organized in Zaporozhye (Motorostroitel plant) back in 1977. And the engine itself was developed in the 60s at the Progress Design Bureau, which at that time was headed by designer Lotarev. Initially, the motor was intended for the An-60 military transport vessel. However, later it was installed on other aircraft: An-72 and An-74, and later on the Yak-42. "Visited" D-36 and ekranoplans models "Kometa-2", "Whirlwind-2". The units installed on the Yak-142 have devices that reduce noise.


The engine has a high bypass ratio (5,6), has a mass of 1,106 tons. Thrust is 6,5 tons with a fuel consumption of 0,358 kg / kgf-h at takeoff and 0,649 kg / kgf-h at cruising speed. The serial production of the D-36 does not stop, the overhaul of the motor, which has a modular scheme, is carried out by the ARZ-695 enterprise, located in the city of Aramil.

On-board equipment

The aircraft is equipped with the TsPNK-42 navigation complex, made in the "figure". This system provides automatic passage of seventy flight routes already included in the program. The autopilot provides approach to the glide path and landing. The installed avionics guarantees the operation of power units in five versions. All the necessary information about the state of the engines is displayed online. The liner also has a system responsible for preventing the vessel from stalling. Longitudinal stability at medium speed Yak-142 is guaranteed by electric remote control.


The installed automatic equipment allows two pilots to pilot the aircraft. The main flight performance parameters of the Yak-142:

✅ wingspan, length and height - 34,88, 38,4 and 9,83 meters
✅ weight empty and fully equipped - 38,4 and 57,5 tons
✅ total thrust of the power plant - 191,22 kN
✅ average and highest speed - 750 and 800 km / h
✅ maximum range - 5 thousand km (with load - 1600 km)

If the customer wishes, the car can be equipped with satellite navigation and (and) a system that warns of a possible collision in flight (TCAS).

Today

Unfortunately, the aircraft was made in a single copy - the turbulent events of the 90s did not allow the project to be developed further. The already built Yak-142 is now successfully operated by Lukoil.