Tu-204 Narrow Body Passenger Jetliner

A twin engine, mid-haul narrow body jetliner, the Tupolev Tu-204 is designed and manufactured by the Tupolev Design Bureau of Russia. It is built to replace its predecessor, the Tu-154 trijet. The Tu-204 can be used for both passenger and cargo transportation. A total of 69 Tu-204 jetliners are currently in service with various customers worldwide.

In March 2010, a Tu-204 crashed near Domodedovo Airport in Moscow during an emergency landing in a forest. The aircraft lost one wing and the fuselage was broken into two pieces.

Variants

The Tu-204 has eight variants – Tu-204C, Tu-204-100/200, Tu-204-120/220/120C/220C, Tu-204-300, Tu-204-500, Tu-206, Tu-214 and Tu-204SM.

Tu-204C is a cargo model of the original Tu-204. It can carry various trays and containers weighing 30t.

The Tu-204-100 / Tu-204-200 is an advanced version of the Tu-204. This variant is fitted with an extra fuel tank to increase the range. It is powered by Aviadvigatel PS90A2 turbofan engines.

The Tu-204-100C and Tu-204-200C are freight versions of Tu-204-100 and Tu-204-200 respectively, and are equipped with forward main deck freight door.

Tu-204-120/220/120C/220C is an improved version fitted with non-Russian avionics and engines. This variant is powered by two Rolls-Royce RB211-535 engines which deliver 192kN of thrust.

Tu-204-120C and Tu-204-220C are freight variants.

Tu-204-300 is an enhanced model available as a long range, heavier version and a light, short range version. This variant is powered by Aviadvigatel PS90-A2 turbofan engines.

Tu-204SM is an improved version of Tu-204-100, featuring advance avionics, an auxiliary power unit, air conditioning and cabin pressure control systems. Its first flight was completed in December 2010.

Orders and deliveries

The Tu-204 jetliner customer orders include: Air China Cargo (4), China Cargo Airlines (2), Palestinian Authority (1), Rossiya (6), Air Korya (2), Transaero (7),  Iran Air and Iran Air Tours (5+ 25 Optional), Red Wings (1), Atlants-Soyuz (15), Clean Air (6) and Icaro Air (2+ one optional).

About 51 Tu-204 aircraft were ordered by 11 customers worldwide to date (January 2011) and 15 were delivered. The remaining 36 jetliners are yet to be delivered.

Design

The Tu-204 is designed in personnel, cargo and combi configurations. The aircraft is fitted with a shortened fuselage section and modern supercritical wings and winglets. It is built at the company’s largest manufacturing plant in Ulianovsk.

About 700 design innovations were introduced by the Tupolev Design Bureau to meliorate structural, aerodynamic and technical performance of the aircraft.

Flight deck

The jetliner features a glass cockpit fitted with six screens for displaying flight data. It can accommodate three crew members. The flight deck is incorporated with fly-by-wire systems, electronic flight instrumentation systems, a cockpit voice recorder, distance measuring equipment and weather radar.

Cabin

The Tu-204 features a spacious and comfortable cabin with more space for passengers. The cabin can accommodate 210 passengers in a single class layout. It can conciliate 164 to 193 passengers in a two or three class layout.

When divided the cabin is split into two compartments namely Economy Class and Business Class with 3-3 and 2-2 seating arrangements respectively. The compartments are separated with removable bulkheads and curtains. Hidden lights fitted under the overhead bins provide stable and comfortable light.

The cabin is 30.18m long, 3.57m wide and 2.16m high.

Engines

The Tu-204 is powered by two Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofan engines. Each engine can produce 157kN of thrust. It is a two shaft bypass turbofan engine fitted with a thrust reverser, a fan, core air flows and a noise absorbing system.

The engine is equipped with second generation sound attenuation systems to meet the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) stage 4 noise requirements. The PS-90A is also incorporated with a dual channel electronic control and monitoring system assuring troubleshooting and on-condition operation.

The length and diameter of the engine are 4.9m and 1.9m respectively. The dry weight is 2,950kg.

Performance

The Tu-204 can fly at a maximum speed of 900km/h. The cruise speed is 850km/h. The range and service ceiling are 4,300km and 12,600m respectively.

Its field length is 2,250m. The jetliner weighs around 21,000kg and its maximum take-off weight is 103,000kg.