Il-96

Despite the Il-86's utility on domestic routes in the Soviet Union, its range proved limiting, prompting Ilyushin to plan the long-range Il-86D variant, with the design completed in 1976. The primary enhancements included slightly extended wings and increased fuel capacity. Although the Il-86D project was eventually canceled, it provided the foundation for the Il-96, with a design that bears a strong resemblance to the Il-86. The Il-96 featured larger wings, a shorter fuselage, advanced avionics and systems, and the fuel-efficient PS-90A high-bypass turbofan, enhancing overall performance. The prototype's maiden flight occurred on September 20, 1988, and the aircraft received certification in 1992.

The Ilyushin Il-96 is a long-range, advanced development of the Il-86, incorporating several unique design aspects. It features supercritical wings equipped with winglets to enhance aerodynamic efficiency. A glass cockpit and a fly-by-wire control system modernize the pilot interface and aircraft handling. The basic Il-96-300 includes advanced Russian avionics, integrating six multi-function color LCD displays, inertial and satellite navigation systems, and a Traffic Collision Avoidance System, enabling operation by a crew of two. These avionics meet international standards for navigation and landing, including ICAO CAT III/A conditions and RNP-1 compliance for European and North American routes.

The Ilyushin Il-96 has seen deployment across various theaters, with notable utilization by both Russian and Cuban operators. Aeroflot initiated passenger service in 1993. A highly customized version of the Il-96-300, designated the Il-96-300PU, serves as the primary aircraft in the Russian presidential aircraft fleet, used by presidents Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev as VIP planes. Cubana de Aviación has also operated the Il-96-300, with its first official flight from Havana to Buenos Aires occurring in January 2006. In December 2023, Sky Gates, owned by Red Wings, leased an IL-96-400T to carry cargo to and from Russia. Early assessments of the Il-96-300 deemed it inferior to its Boeing and Airbus counterparts, leading to the cessation of its manufacturing. Despite its advanced features, the Il-96 faced challenges in achieving commercially viable mass production, which initially limited its widespread adoption.

Main Variants:

• Il-96-300: The initial variant of the Il-96, equipped with Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofans, offering a range of approximately 11,000 km with 262 passengers in a two-class configuration.

• Il-96-300PU: A highly customized version of the Il-96-300, serving as the primary aircraft in the Russian presidential aircraft fleet and used as VIP planes.

• Il-96M: A stretched variant of the Il-96-300 featuring a longer fuselage, increased weight, Western-style avionics, and Pratt & Whitney PW2337 engines, offering a range of about 10,400 km with 312 passengers in a three-class configuration.

• Il-96-400T: The freighter version of the Il-96-400, powered by four Aviadvigatel PS-90A1 engines and utilized for cargo transportation.

• Il-96-400M: The passenger version of the Il-96-400T cargo aircraft which has a longer fuselage and a planned seating capacity of 390 passengers.