World`s Largest Plane Takes To Skies

World`s Largest Plane Takes To Skies

The world`s biggest plane successfully completed its first test flight today in
the Ukraine after being modernized, officials said.

The giant An-225 Mriya took off from an airfield near Ukraine`s capital Kiev and
spent about 30 minutes in flight.

The plane first flew in December 1988 and was intended to transport the former
Soviet Union`s Buran space shuttle. However, it was grounded after the Buran
program was canceled.

The six-engine plane has a wingspan of 291 feet and a cargo compartment 142 feet
long. It is capable of carrying 275 tons of cargo 2,800 miles. By comparison,
the C-5 Galaxy, the largest plane in America`s military fleet, can carry 135
tons of cargo.

The An-225 was jointly rebuilt by the Kiev-based Antonov aviation design bureau
and Ukraine`s Motor-Sych to correspond to international aviation standards. The
project is reported to have cost up to USD$20 million.

Antonov officials hope there will be demand for the plane in the growing
international market for nonstandard cargo transportation.

Airwise

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