The Tupolev Tu-204 is a twin-engined medium range Russian airliner capable of carrying 212 passengers. It is broadly equivalent to the Boeing 757. It was developed for Aeroflot as a replacement for the medium range Tupolev Tu-154 trijet.

Technology

Tu-204 advanced flight deck

It is the first of the new generation Russian airliners, the other being the Ilyushin Il-96. It features many technological innovations such as

• fly-by-wire
• glass cockpit, available in both Russian and western varieties
• advanced supercritical wings fitted with winglets
• advanced western avionics
• the first to use western engines, Rolls-Royce RB211-535

Variants

Tu-204-100/200

This is the initial version, powered by Soloviev (now Aviadvigatel)PS90 turbofan with thrust of 157 kN (35,300 lbf). It uses Russian powerplants and avionics. It was certified in January, 1995. The Tu-204-200 is a heavier version with extra fuel for more range. The Tu-204-100C and Tu-204-200C are the cargo versions of the -100 and -200 respectively, fitted with forward main deck freight door. Currently the Tu-204-100/200 is offered with the option of uprated Aviadvigatel PS90-A2 turbofan, which promises 40% longer period between overhauls.

The Tu-204-100 has a maximum take-off weight of 103 metric tons and range with 196 passenger in 2-class configuration is 2,500 nautical miles (4,600 km).

Tu-204-120/220

In order to broaden the product appeal, the Tu-204-120/220 features western avionics and engines. It is powered by 2 Rolls-Royce RB211-535 engines each with thrust of 43,100 lbf (192 kN). Air Cairo of Egypt became the launch operator when it took delivery of a Tu-204-120 and its cargo version the -120C, in November 1998. The Tu-204-220 and -220C, cargo version, is a higher gross weight variant of the basic Tu-204-120.

The Tu-204-120 has a maximum take-off weight of 103 metric tons and range with 196 passenger in 2-class configuration is 2,500 nautical miles.

Tu-204-300

It is a shortened, longer range derivative of the Tu-204. It is about 20ft shorter than the basic Tu-204. It is available in 2 version; the longer ranged heavier version powered by Aviadvigatel PS90-A2 turbofan has a maximum take-off weight of 103 metric tons and range with 166 passengers increases to 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km) and the lighter shorter ranged version with a maximum take-off weight of 89 metric tons and range with 166 passengers is 1,900 nautical miles (3,500 km). Russian airliner Transaero is the launch customer.

Tu-204-500

This is a version of Tu-204-300 optimized for shorter routes, featuring smaller wings, increasing cruising speed to Mach 0.84, making it a competitor to Next Generation Boeing 737. It is ETOPS rated and fitted with Honeywell 331-200ER APU.

Tu-206 and Tu-216

These variants are company-funded testbeds for alternative fuels, the Tu-206 flying on liquefied natural gas and the Tu-216 on hydrogen.

External Links

• Additional photos

See also