Russian Plane Maker to Develop New Pilot Trainer

2013/04/24

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, April 24 (RIA Novosti) – The Nizhny Novgorod-based Sokol aircraft manufacturer said on Wednesday it will develop a light aircraft for training air force pilots.


The order for the development of a new training aircraft came from Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Viktor Bondarev earlier this year.


The new aircraft will be a modernized two-seat version of the M-101T Gzhel utility turboprop aircraft, the company said.


The M-101T Gzhel was Russia’s first high-speed multirole turboprop able to use unpaved airfields. The original Gzhel has a seating capacity of six and a maximum speed of 430 kilometers per hour.


Sokol manufactured Gzhel planes from 2003-2009, but halted production due to a lack of commercial demand. Just fifteen of the planes were built.


The aircraft manufacturer previously said the modernized Gzhel will have twin engines, a longer range and higher altitude.



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