Antonov 225

World's Biggest Airplane?

The Russian Antonov 225

32 Wheels!

The Antonov An-225 Mriya is a strategic airlift cargo aircraft, designed by the Soviet Antonov Design Bureau. It is the world's heaviest fixed-wing aircraft. This was built to transport the Buran orbiter. The An-225's name, Mriya means "Dream" (Inspiration) in Ukrainian. The An-225 is commercially available for flying over-sized payloads due to the unique size of its cargo deck. Currently there is only one aircraft in operation. It first flew on 21 December 1988

Specifications (An-225)

General characteristics

Crew: 6

Payload: 250,000 kg (550,000 lb)

Door dimensions: 440 x 640 cm (14.4 x 21 ft)

Length: 84 m (275.6 ft)

Wingspan: 88.4 m (290 ft 2 in)

Height: 18.1 m (59.3 ft)

Wing area: 905 m2 (9,743.7 ft2)

Cargo Volume: 1,300 m3 (46,000 cu ft))

Empty weight: 285,000 kg (628,315 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 640,000 kg[9][10][11] (1,323,000 lb)

Powerplant: 6× ZMKB Progress D-18 turbofans, 229.5 kN (51,600 lbf) each

Takeoff run: 3,500 m (11,500 ft) with maximum payload

Performance

Maximum speed: 850 km/h (460 knots, 530 mph)

Cruise speed: 800 km/h (430 knots, 500 mph)

Range:

With maximum fuel: 15,400 km (9,570 mi)

With maximum payload: 4,000 km (2,500 mi))

Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,100 ft)

Wing loading: 662.9 kg/m² (135.5 lb/ft²)

Thrust/weight: 0.234