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
