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Tu 204-120. Aircraft characteristics
In today's highly competitive airline markets, maximum operational effectiveness of an airline can only be ensured by the selection of equipment, which is both reliable and highly flexible in its operational capabilities. The Tu 204-120 meets both of these requirements. The aircraft is designed to comply with both Russian and Western certification standards for transport category airplanes (NLGS-3, AP-25/JAR-25/FAR-25). Noise and emissions levels are below the respective ICAO limits of Annex 16, Volume 1 Chapter 3 and Annex 16, volume 2. The cockpit design allows the
utilization of a three man crew. Fully English language cockpit and operation manuals in English will be available starting from January, 2001.The Tu 204 fly-by-wire system reduces crew workload and
maximizes the aircraft's operational capabilities including provision for automatic navigation by optimum routings at all flight stages from take-off to landing. The 43,000lb thrust RB211-535E4B engines has a proven track record of minimum operational disruption with over 11 million hours of commercial operation. More than 800 engines are currently in service with over 45 operators around the
world. The aircraft interiors are designed and manufactured to the latest international standards
of comfort and safety.
Following western-made equipment is installed on aircraft:
- electrical system of "Sundstrand" (USA) firm;
- hydraulic pumps of "Vikkers" firm;
- engine bleed-off system of "Allied Signal" (USA) firm;
- inertial navigation system of "Honeywell" (USA) firm;- engine vibration control system of "Vibrometer" (Switzerland)
firm;
- loading/unloading equipment for cargo plane of "Ancra" (USA) firm;
- interiors of "Sogerma" (France) firm and Gillfab (U.K.) firm
materials;
- other components and units (HAMILTON STANDARD, SCHNELLER/BUDERUS SELL, B. F. GOODRICH, AMPEX, PRESSURE SCIENCE, ROHR CORPORATION).
The Tu 204-120 has an impressive lift/drag ratio of 17.5. Its moderately swept supercritical wing and winglets are
optimized for high cruise efficiency.
Short field performance is enhanced by powerful high-lift, double-slotted flaps and slats across the entire wing-span together with automatic ground spoilers.
Cruise efficiency is further enhanced by the capability of adjusting the aircraft center of gravity position by up to 10% of MAC without resorting to drag-inducing aerodynamic trimming. Up to 2820
liters (745 US gallons) of fuel can be transferred between the main wing fuel tanks and the third tank built into the vertical
stabilizer. This can be carried out in-flight allowing the aircraft center of gravity to be
optimized throughout flight.
The aircraft's triple fly-by-wire systems have independent manual reversion. An advanced
ergonomic cockpit layout ensures low crew fatigue.
Advanced composite materials are used throughout the secondary structure with the aim of
minimizing weight.
The high by-pass ratio Rolls Royce RB211-535E4B power plants are the most reliable engines in the world and have achieved a record time on wing of over 26,000 hours or 6.5 years between overhauls. This reliability makes a major contribution to reducing the cost of operation; the -535 has the lowest combined fuel/maintenance cost of any engine in its class, an advantage extensively demonstrated in over 11 million flying hours on over 350 aircraft, worldwide.
Allied Signal carbon brakes are installed to ensure maximum payload capability and lower maintenance costs. The braking system has two independent main and alternate channels
operating independent groups of brake cylinders. Both channels have standby electronic control units and electro-hydraulic units.
Switching from one to the other is automatic. The braking system has full anti-skid sensors and control parameters. Wheel rotation is decelerated prior to the gear being retracted. For ground maneuvering a
nose wheel steering system allows up to 70 degrees of swing when controlled by the steering tiller and has two independent control circuits with self contained electrical and hydraulic systems.
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Performances
