UZGA LMS-901 Baikal

[alberchico]

Bumpy story of Baikal, newest Russian bush plane

Attempts to replace Russian utility plane Antonov An-2 were failing since the 70s, but the new LMS-901 Baikal seems to be on its way to success.

www.aerotime.aero

Baikal completes airframe of utility aircraft to replace An-2 | News - Travel and Aviation

Russia’s Baikal Engineering has completed manufacture of a prototype airframe for the LMS-901 utility aircraft, which is intended as a replacement for the Antonov An-2. The aircraft is being designed to transport up to 2t of payload with a range of 800nm (1,500km) and a cruising speed of 160kt...

travelandaviation.com

This is the long awaited replacement to the legendary An-2. The previous modern biplane version was abandoned because of concerns over how the fully composite aircraft would hold up in extreme climates. It will initially use a foreign engine and avionics to speed up certification with domestic systems integrated later on. However the price of this aircraft will be quite high for local carriers, so unless the government provides subsidies i can't see it being built in large numbers. The article below provides a history on the long tortured path for a An-2 replacement if anyone's interested.

In search of the successor – An-2 for the 21st century

Who hasn´t heard about Antonov An-2? An aeroplane that earned a worldwide recognition as icon of Soviet civil aviation, and even the Soviet Union era. Antonov An-2 is also the second biggest serial-manufactured single-engine biplane and is among the most-produced aircraft ever.

afterburner.com.pl

 

[Fluff]

Bumpy story of Baikal, newest Russian bush plane

Attempts to replace Russian utility plane Antonov An-2 were failing since the 70s, but the new LMS-901 Baikal seems to be on its way to success.

www.aerotime.aero

Baikal completes airframe of utility aircraft to replace An-2 | News - Travel and Aviation

Russia’s Baikal Engineering has completed manufacture of a prototype airframe for the LMS-901 utility aircraft, which is intended as a replacement for the Antonov An-2. The aircraft is being designed to transport up to 2t of payload with a range of 800nm (1,500km) and a cruising speed of 160kt...

travelandaviation.com

This is the long awaited replacement to the legendary An-2. The previous modern biplane version was abandoned because of concerns over how the fully composite aircraft would hold up in extreme climates. It will initially use a foreign engine and avionics to speed up certification with domestic systems integrated later on. However the price of this aircraft will be quite high for local carriers, so unless the government provides subsidies i can't see it being built in large numbers. The article below provides a history on the long tortured path for a An-2 replacement if anyone's interested.

In search of the successor – An-2 for the 21st century

Who hasn´t heard about Antonov An-2? An aeroplane that earned a worldwide recognition as icon of Soviet civil aviation, and even the Soviet Union era. Antonov An-2 is also the second biggest serial-manufactured single-engine biplane and is among the most-produced aircraft ever.

afterburner.com.pl

Looks like a Pilatus to me.

I'm betting on the AN-2 outlasting the newbie.

 

[TomcatViP]

The trimotor (hybride) is a very good idea (cut out the limitation of a single engine commercial airplane (if such certification is possible) while keeping the design simple).

 

[TR1]

As always, I don't get why this clear priority program did not get gov funding about a decade ago, but better late than never.

It will be interesting where the aircraft will be serially produced.....

EDIT: https://fpi.gov.ru/press/news/sosto...li-samoleta-sverkhkorotkogo-vzleta-i-posadki/

Interesting modified SibNIA An-2:

https://fpi.gov.ru/upload/iblock/d6a/d6a93ab8d6384bea0e1e4af63306ed57.JPG

 

[alberchico]

As always, I don't get why this clear priority program did not get gov funding about a decade ago, but better late than never.

It will be interesting where the aircraft will be serially produced.....

EDIT: https://fpi.gov.ru/press/news/sosto...li-samoleta-sverkhkorotkogo-vzleta-i-posadki/

Interesting modified SibNIA An-2:

https://fpi.gov.ru/upload/iblock/d6a/d6a93ab8d6384bea0e1e4af63306ed57.JPG

The crazy thing is that shortly after the fall of the USSR the Russians managed to design an An-2 replacement. It was called the T-101. But due to the economic chaos of the 1990's it was never put into production. They simply could have revived that design with a modern engine and updated avionics and put it into production for a fraction of the cost of a clean sheet design. Heck they even developed a float plane version.

ROS-Aeroprogress T-101 Grach - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[archipeppe]

Both An-2 and B-52 share the same destiny: they survived to all their planned successors and will also do the same even in future....

 

[Hood]

The SibNIA An-2 looks quite sexy with that longer nose and improved streamlined canopy.

You can't replace a classic, everyone tries to replace icons like the DC-3 and An-2 but they became ubiquitous because they had attributes their contemporaries lacked. But time moves on and technology evolves, you can replace them but never like-for-like. There are other bush planes and crop-sprayers out there, all you can do is match what the market wants.

 

[TomcatViP]

And don't forget that they became ubiquitous because they were generally cheap. A several million dollars An-2 won't find a market.

 

[Avimimus]

And don't forget that they became ubiquitous because they were generally cheap. A several million dollars An-2 won't find a market.

That is one reason why I've long had a soft spot for the T-505:
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/aeroprogress-t-505-«-strekoza-»-dragonfly.17900/

 

[_Del_]

And don't forget that they became ubiquitous because they were generally cheap.

And could be maintained essentially by a handful of guys with basic tools who paid attention in a high school auto-shop class or equivalent.

 

[Cy-27]

Ural Civil Aviation Plant LMS-901 Baikal (УЗГА ЛМС-901 «Байкал»)

At the end of the 2010s, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade announced a competition for the development of a light multipurpose aircraft for 9 passengers. In 2019, it was won by the Baikal-Engineering company from Ulan-Ude, established by the Ural Civil Aviation Plant (Yekaterinburg).

The Ural Civil Aviation Plant (УЗГА) at Yekaterinburg submitted their prospective An-2 replacement. The design was a light multipurpose aircraft designated the LMS-901 "Baikal". (ЛМС-901 «Байкал»). The organisation also undertook assembly of Let L-410 and light Western aircraft in Russia and has used their experience in this new design.

The aircraft is a high-wing monoplane with wing struts and a fixed undercarriage. In the first aircraft a General Electric H800-200 engine will be installed. Future developments include an amphibious, ski, wheeled-ski and float landing gear variants. Such aircraft was believed to be in great demand in remote Russian regions and in the Arctic. It was designed to carry 9 passengers in airline comfort or fitted with a maximum of 14 basic seats. In a non-passenger configuration, up to 2 tons of cargo can be carried. Although designed as a An-2 replacement, the cabin was slightly smaller in the LMS-901.

According to an article in Aviasoyuz, construction was to complete in late 2021 with certification in 2022.

On the development of the aircraft the firm worked in close cooperation with the Moscow Aviation Institute. By early 2021, the company said it had already signed soft contracts for 10 aircraft, and for initial sales they expect to reach the level of 100 aircraft. As the first customers: Far Eastern Airlines, Polar Airlines, Naryan-Mar United Aviation Squadron, Aeroservice. They are also expect to sign contracts at the International Aviation and Space Salon (MAKS), which will be held from July 20 to 25, 2021, and where an example LMS-901 Baikal will be presented in mock-up form or as a prototype.

LMS-901 Details
Range: 3,000 km
Take-off run: 200-220 m
Maximum speed: 300 km/h
Cabin height: 1.65 m
Payload weight: 2,000 kg
Minimum operating temperature: -55 deg centigrade

(see also the related page on earlier LMS-9 and LMS-19 designations - https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/diamond-aircraft-industries-lms-9-and-lms-19.20851/)

Source:

Aviasoyuz Magazine #83

Главная

Уральский завод гражданской авиации

www.uwca.ru

 

[riggerrob]

Yes there have been numerous attempts to update Antonov 2 with turboprop engines. The first attempt was back during the 1990s, with a Russian-built engine.
More recently, a Russian company tried to update AN-2 with fancy, curved, composite wings, but they encountered problems with different rates of thermal expansion (aluminum versus composite). From a distance, Ural looks much like its closest Western competitor: Quest Kodiak. The biggest difference is the Ural's tail wheel. LMS 901 will probably lose those fancy, teardrop shaped wheel pants the second time they fill with mud,
The most recent project (Ural Aviation) mates a conventional aluminum airframe with an updated H80-200 version of the (Czech) Walter M601 turboprop engine. General Electric bought Walter circa the year 2015.
The Russian manufacturer says that the first few Baikal will have imported GE/Walter engines, Hartzel propellers and imported glass instrument panels, but later versions will be equipped with Russian-made equivalents.

 

[TR1]

We will see it completed at MAKS soon:

https://aviaforum.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/attachment-files/2021/07/1620023_410df4f120fde8dce62268e147f16abf.jpg

Преемники Ан-2

уменьшение ширины салона на 10% — закрывает возможность поместить, пусть и тесно, 3 кресла в ряд (1+2), что возможно у Ан-2 или Цессны Гранд Караван

aviaforum.ru

 

[TR1]

And here it is:

 

[alberchico]

Лёгкий многоцелевой самолёт ЛМС-901 «Байкал» на МАКС-2021

На проходящем в период с 20 по 25 июля 2021 года в Жуковском XV Международном авиационно-космическом салоне МАКС-2021 ООО Байкал-Инжиниринг (дочерняя компания АО Уральский завод гражданской авиации - УЗГА) показало первый опытный образец лёгкого многоцелевого…

bmpd.livejournal.com

This article provides more information and images of the prototype.

На что поменяют кукурузник. Лёгкий самолёт ЛМС-901 "Байкал" - Альтернативная История

На что поменяют кукурузник. Лёгкий самолёт ЛМС-901 "Байкал" - Альтернативная История

alternathistory.com

The second article gives a brief synopsis of the previous attempts to find a AN-2 replacement.

 

[alberchico]

Some more images. I really like the design of the large rear entry door.

 

[alberchico]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET3rAjb3oIo&ab_channel=%D0%92%D0%B8%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%A5%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BA


I have to wonder how this aircraft would fare in the export market. The fact that it has a western engine and avionics suite means that they can't sell it as cheaply as they would like to, and this aircraft would be competing against a huge number of second hand Cessna Caravans that are available at far cheaper prices. Not to mention that the Quest Kodiak as well as the Tecnam 2012 are all direct competitors. I also wonder how much higher the operating costs of this turboprop are going to be compared to the old AN-2. A lot of the cash strapped regional airlines that need this aircraft might not be able to afford it without subsidies.

 

[kaiserbill]

The engine and avionics will be replaced by Russian products.

 

[yasotay]

Take off the spats and put bush tires on it.

On another note: I am old enough to be politically incorrect and say I approve of their marketing technique.

 

[riggerrob]

With 9 seats, it competes directly with Pilatus Porter. We wonder if it can carry as many skydivers as a Cessna Caravan (up to 19), Quest Kodiak (17 ish) or PAC 750 XL (up to 19).
That door looks easier to access, but they need the step to lay flush with the floor for easy skydiving exits.
Finally, will they offer a factory-optional skydiver interior with bob-sled benches and skydiver specific seat-belts (e.g. Hooker tag-lines)?

 

[alberchico]

Russia’s Aurora Airlines To Add New Baikal Utility Aircraft – Smart Aviation Asia-Pacific

www.smartaviation-apac.com

Looks like orders are starting to trickle in. No word yet on exactly when the first flight will occur. The article below examines the situation regarding the development of small aircraft in Russia.

Difficult billions: reanimation of small aircraft in Russia

L-410 of Russian origin. Photo: Andrey Kirillov / aviascope.com Money down the drain Any options to justify regional transportation in terms of payback will lead nowhere - short-distance flights within the country will always be unprofitable. And this is a story not only about Russia.

en.topwar.ru

What's interesting is that just before events in the Ukraine derailed relations with the west, Russia was planning to team up with Diamond to develop two different aircraft models to solve their transport problems, a small 9 seater, and a stretched 19 seater to replace the An-2 as well as the Let-410. If the project had remained on schedule these aircraft would have been in service in large numbers by now.

LMS-9/19 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[riggerrob]

I question the logic of sizing the LMS-901 at only half the size of most its competitors and the Antonov 2 is is supposed to replace.
At 4.8 tonnes and 8 seats, it is closest in size to DHC-2T Turbo Beaver or Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter.
The choice of a turbo-prop engine is logical considering the increasing scarcity of 100 LL gasoline away from major population centers. Meanwhile competing airlines have bought large numbers of DHC-3 (single-engine) Otter, DHC-6 Twin Otter, Quest Kodiak, PAC 750XL and even Pilatus PC-12.
DHC-3 were originally powered by radials, but they were under-powered and un-reliable so many have been converted to turbo-props. All the other types mentioned are powered by P&WC PT6A turboprops. Most of those carry up to 19 passengers in high-density cabin configurations (e.g. skydiving). If they carried more than 19 passengers, they would also need to carry a flight attendant. Since most of those flights are only short-haul, flight attendants are an expensive luxury. Large numbers of light turbo-props work for over-night courier companies like UPS and DHL.
The latest two offerings: Cessna's Sky Courier and the New Zealand PAC Firecatcher have wider cabins capable of accommodating a trio of LD3 cargo containers.
Most of the above-mentioned airplanes are also popular with skydivers. I have skydived from Cessna 208 Caravan, DHC-6 Twin Otter, Pilatus Porter and Quest Kodiak. Kodiak is my favorite because its door sill is low enough that we do not need a ladder to board.

Perhaps we need to know more about typical stage lengths, passenger loads and cargo loads currently flown by Russian AN-2????????

 

[TomcatViP]

@riggerrob : Cabin size is identical. Published PAX in FAR is 9, perhaps limited to be a class-B aircraft (less stringent category identical to GA).

 

[archipeppe]

It's worth to note that while in Western countries the DC-3 replacement was a serius issue for a decade, Russians didn't have any problem replacing the Lisunov Li-2 (DC-3 under license) with several Ilyushin designs, while they are still looking for the An-2 replacement.

What a twist of fate...

 

[riggerrob]

It's worth to note that while in Western countries the DC-3 replacement was a serius issue for a decade, Russians didn't have any problem replacing the Lisunov Li-2 (DC-3 under license) with several Ilyushin designs, while they are still looking for the An-2 replacement.

What a twist of fate...

All attempts at selling DC-3 replacements were hampered by the large numbers of war-surplus Beechcraft C-45, Curtiss C-46, DC-3s, C-47s on the North American market.
Immediately after WW2, the RAF returned their 2,000 Lend-Lease C-47 Dakotas and C-53s, forcing the RAF to buy new-built transports from British manufacturers.
The RCAF still flew a handful of Dakotas in 1981.
The USSR license-built between 5,000 and 6,000 Li-2 transports under license. We do not know how many Li-2s were destroyed during WW2, but suspect that they suffered as heavy casualties as most other Soviet Air Force planes. Post WW2, but I suspect that not nearly enough remained to serve all the Russian Air Force plus Aeroflot's post-war routes.

 

[riggerrob]

@riggerrob : Cabin size is identical. Published PAX in FAR is 9, perhaps limited to be a class-B aircraft (less stringent category identical to GA).

Identical to what?
LMS-901 cabin is not as tall as AN-2. IOW It lacks the stand-up room of AN-2.

That cargo door looks similar in size - or smaller - than a Quest Kodiak. Can it even fit a 45 gallon fuel drum?
The cabin also looks narrower than a Cessna 208 Caravan.

In North America, light transports can be certified under more lenient standards if they weight less than 12,500 pounds (about 5,700 kg). I suspect that the ICAO Standard is similar to FAA Part 105.

 

[TomcatViP]

An-2

Cargo compartment= 13.5 feet long by 5 feet wide by 5.9 feet [1.8m] tall (398.25 cubic feet).
Cargo door opening: 4.5 feet wide by 5 feet tall

LMS-901
cabin height 1.65m
Cargo door (seemingly) 1.5x1.5m

 

[riggerrob]

An-2

Cargo compartment= 13.5 feet long by 5 feet wide by 5.9 feet [1.8m] tall (398.25 cubic feet).
Cargo door opening: 4.5 feet wide by 5 feet tall

LMS-901
cabin height 1.65m
Cargo door (seemingly) 1.5x1.5m

An LD-3 baggage container is 147 cm by 155 cm (aka. 58 by 61 inches = 4 feet 10 inches by 5 feet 1 inch), with a tare weight of 182 pounds and a maximum weight of 3,500 pounds. Thus making the LMS-901 cargo door slightly too low to admit an LD-3 container. If the Russians are smart, they will enlarge the door to allow them to sell to courier companies.

 

[riggerrob]

An-2

Cargo compartment= 13.5 feet long by 5 feet wide by 5.9 feet [1.8m] tall (398.25 cubic feet).
Cargo door opening: 4.5 feet wide by 5 feet tall

LMS-901
cabin height 1.65m
Cargo door (seemingly) 1.5x1.5m

An LD-3 baggage container is 147 cm by 155 cm (aka. 58 by 61 inches = 4 feet 10 inches by 5 feet 1 inch), with a tare weight of 82 kg (182 pounds) and a maximum weight of 1,600 kg (3,500 pounds)

This makes the LMS-901 cargo door slightly too low to admit an LD-3 container. If the Russians are smart, they will enlarge the door to allow them to sell to courier companies.

 

[alberchico]

Ural’s new LMS-901 utility aircraft becomes airborne during runway tests

Ural civil aviation plant UZGA's multi-purpose LMS-901 Baikal, the utility aircraft intended to replace the Antonov An-2, has become airborne for the first time. The aircraft briefly lifted off the runway during a series of tests over the course of 14-18 January. Its developers had conducted...

www.flightglobal.com

Самолёт ЛМС-901 «Байкал» завершил этап аэродромных пробежек

Новый легкий многоцелевой самолет ЛМС-901 "Байкал", разработанный для замены легендарного Ан-2 "Кукурузник", готовят к началу летных испытаний. Как сообщили в пресс-службе Уральского завода гражданской авиации (УЗГА), самолет должен взлететь в этом месяце. На данный момент

topwar.ru

Finally there's some news to report on this project, taxi tests are finishing up and the first flight will occur in a matter of days.

 

[Anduriel]

Today, LMS-901 made it's maiden flight.

Первый полёт самолёта ЛМС-901 «Байкал»

Как сообщило Министерство промышленности и торговли Российской Федерации, 30 января 2022 года первый лётный опытный образец лёгкого многоцелевого самолёта ЛМС-901 Байкал совершил первый полёт. Самолёт взлетел с аэродрома Екатеринбург (Арамиль). Полет проходил на высоте 500 метров…

bmpd.livejournal.com

 

[alberchico]

Is the epic with the replacement of "Corn" coming to an end?

LMS-901 "Baikal" makes its first flight, photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Aviation for Russia is of paramount importance. The state, which ranks first in the world in terms of area, is simply forced to rely on air transportation, especially in hard-to-reach and...

en.topwar.ru

One interesting aspect is this aircraft is to be equipped with a parachute in case of engine failure, supposedly mounted in the tail. I wonder if the author is confusing the parachute temporarily attached to the fuselage as a precaution during spin trials with something that will be fitted to a production model ? An aircraft like this has such excellent STOL characteristics that it doesn't need a parachute in case of engine failure.

It also points out the other big problem is that the aircraft is still too expensive to be ever produced in the vast numbers needed to satisfy the demand within Russia.

 

[yasotay]

Make them out of wood and canvas.

Didn't seem to hurt its predecessor.

 

[dan_inbox]

One interesting aspect is this aircraft is to be equipped with a parachute in case of engine failure, supposedly mounted in the tail. I wonder if the author is confusing the parachute temporarily attached to the fuselage as a precaution during spin trials with something that will be fitted to a production model ? An aircraft like this has such excellent STOL characteristics that it doesn't need a parachute in case of engine failure.

It could make sense to abort a take-off.
Otherwise in flight there is little sense in having an aircraft slung under a chute by its tail, to land on its nose...

 

[Anduriel]

One interesting aspect is this aircraft is to be equipped with a parachute in case of engine failure, supposedly mounted in the tail. I wonder if the author is confusing the parachute temporarily attached to the fuselage as a precaution during spin trials with something that will be fitted to a production model ? An aircraft like this has such excellent STOL characteristics that it doesn't need a parachute in case of engine failure.

It could make sense to abort a take-off.
Otherwise in flight there is little sense in having an aircraft slung under a chute by its tail, to land on its nose...

No, parachutes are supposed to be the same in function as for some Cessnas from BRS aerospace, albeit likely larger.

 

[riggerrob]

Ural Aviation would be wise to re-size their cabin and cargo door to accept LDS3 baggage containers widely used by airlines and becoming increasingly popular with courier companies like DHL.
The recently-certified Cessna 408 Sky Courier is sized specifically for a trio of LDS3 containers as is the Firecatcher prototype currently being built in New Zealand.

 

[alberchico]

Ðад «Ðайкалом» ÑгÑÑаÑÑÑÑ ÑÑÑи

ÐÐ°Ð¼ÐµÐ½Ñ Â«ÐºÑкÑÑÑзника» заменÑÑ Â«ÐºÑкÑÑÑзником»

www.kommersant.ru

 

[Anduriel]

Ðад «Ðайкалом» ÑгÑÑаÑÑÑÑ ÑÑÑи

ÐÐ°Ð¼ÐµÐ½Ñ Â«ÐºÑкÑÑÑзника» заменÑÑ Â«ÐºÑкÑÑÑзником»

www.kommersant.ru

This article is pure BS and was debunked by SibNiiA director:
https://tass.ru/ekonomika/23211989
BTW, it was written by the same 'journalist' Aigul Abdullina that was recently throwing shit at MS-21, claiming that Russian variant with Western parts replaced is heavier by 5.75t and can't fly higher than 7km. (https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6536154). Which is pure BS, and what rally happened that Russians allowed higher MTOW for MS-21, and not empty weight being heavier by 6t.

BTW, here is bio of this lady, written by Kommersant itself:

Special correspondent for the Kommersant business department, covering events in the aviation industry since 2021. Previously, since 2011, she worked in various St. Petersburg media outlets, specializing in the topics of the real estate market, urban protection and urban studies.

ÐйгÑÐ»Ñ ÐбдÑллина - ÐвÑоÑÑ Ð¼Ð°ÑеÑиалов на ÐоммеÑÑанÑÑ

СпеÑиалÑнÑй коÑÑеÑÐ¿Ð¾Ð½Ð´ÐµÐ½Ñ Ð¾Ñдела бизнеÑа «Ðª», Ñ 2021 года оÑвеÑÐ°ÐµÑ ÑобÑÑÐ¸Ñ Ð² авиаоÑÑаÑли. Ранее Ñ 2011 года ÑабоÑала в ÑазлиÑнÑÑ Ð¿ÐµÑеÑбÑÑгÑÐºÐ¸Ñ Ð¡ÐÐ, ÑпеÑиализиÑовалаÑÑ Ð½Ð° ÑÐµÐ¼Ð°Ñ ÑÑнка...

www.kommersant.ru

How can you expect a good, measured article from a person about aviation, when she was making articles about real estate for 10 years up to 2021?

 

[alberchico]

If the article was not accurate, then my apologies. But the main problem is that this design even with a locally sourced turboprop engine is still going to be very expensive to buy and operate for the small local carriers that will need it. That's what ended up killing all the other An-2 replacement projects that preceded this one. What Russia needs is a simple rugged piston powered aircraft along the lines of the GippsAero GA8 Airvan. If you need to land on a rough field simply slap some tundra tires on it. And if you need more power and payload simply make it a twin engined design like the legendary Dornier Do28.

 

[riggerrob]

Russ Niles just reported (24 January) that the Baikal LMS-901 has been cancelled. Their original GE H8100 (an up dated version of the Czech Walter turboprop) is no longer available due to sanctions (President Biden's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022).
The promised Russian small turboprop engine is still many years in the future.

Also the Baikal's price had risen to more than $5 million and aerodynamic problems prompted a major re-design.

Pity!
It would have been nice to see another competitor for Caravans, Kodiaks, Turbo-Beavers and PAC750XL.