Shhhh … new IL-76 revealed

The first newbuild IL-76 cargo aircraft designed to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) noise and emissions requirements has successfully completed its initial test flight at the TAPO plant in Tashkent. The 50-tonnes capacity freighter, equipped with new PS-90A-76 engines and new generation avionics, completed a 30-minute test flight at an altitude of 700 metres. Practically, the modernised aircraft will be the only civil aircraft in the world in the 30-50 tonnes market segment capable of transporting oversize cargo to any airport, according to a spokesman.