Ilyushin Il-62

It was developed at the same time as the British Vickers VC-10, to which it bears a very close resemblance – industrial espionage was widely suspected at the time, but has never been proved.

It is powered by four rear-mounted NK-8–4 engines in pairs mounted in a T-tail arrangement. The VC-10 and Il-62 are the only airliners to have used this configuration.

The Il-62 is one of the largest aircraft without powered flight controls: all moving surfaces are controlled by direct cable links.

There is an extra wheel below the tail to prevent the plane tilting backwards during loading.

The aircraft was designed to withstand gear-up landings, having a strengthened belly with a ski running down the middle.

The Il-62M variant (first flight in 1971, introduced in 1973) has more powerful and efficient D-30KU engines, and an extra fuel tank in the tail. Nearly all of the planes still in service today are Il-62M models. In 1978 the next variant was produced: the Il-62MK with 195 seats, which is capabable of lifing 2.000 kg more than Il-62M.

Air Koryo and Cubana de Aviacion still have the Il-62 in commercial service. It can also be found in use by the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Specifications of Il-62M

• Crew: 5
• Seats: 168 – 174
• Wingspan: 43,20 m
• Length: 53,12 m
• High: 12,35 m
• Wing area: 279,5 m²
• Empty: 67.500 kg
• Utility mass: 97.500 kg
• Loaded: 165.000 kg
• Powerplant: 4x D-30KU (107.9 kN thrust each)
• Maximum speed: 900 km/h
• Minimum speed: 220 km/h
• Marching speed: 820 km/h
• Rate of climb: 16,8 m/s
• Service ceiling:12.000 m
  • Fuel: 105.300 l