NPO Molniya Molniya-1

The Molniya-1 is a six-seater utility aircraft designed and built in Russia during the 1990s.

Molniya-1
Role Three surface utility aircraft
National origin Russia
Manufacturer NPO Molniya
First flight 18 December 1992
Number built 2 by 2000

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 turboprop, 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)
  • Cruise speed: 290 km/h (180 mph, 160 kn)
  • Stall speed: 115 km/h (71 mph, 62 kn) [2]
  • Range: 500 km (310 mi, 270 nmi) with maximum payload
  • Rate of climb: 3.8 m/s (750 ft/min) at sea level
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References
  1. Simpson, Rod (2001). Airlife's World Aircraft. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing Ltd. p. 381. ISBN 1-84037-115-3.
  2. "Molniya Triplane Aircraft Molniya-1". buran,ru. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  3. ""Molniya" Research & Industrial Corporation". buran.ru. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
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