The Antonov An-158 is a twin-engine regional passenger jet designed and manufactured by the Ukrainian aircraft producer Antonov. An improved, longer-fuselage variant of the successful An-148 model, the An-158 was developed for passenger transport on regional routes. The aircraft stands out for its ability to operate even on short and unpaved runways, thanks to its modern avionics systems and operational flexibility.
Antonov An-158 (KHMedia)
Design and Development
The An-158 is a model that made its maiden flight in 2010 and completed its certification in 2011. Its biggest difference from the An-148 is the lengthening of its fuselage to provide greater passenger and cargo capacity. This extension has increased the aircraft's passenger capacity up to 99. The design philosophy focused on adapting to the challenging conditions of regional markets.
Antonov An-158 (KHMedia)
Structural Features
A striking structural feature of the An-158 is the placement of its engines over the wings, close to the fuselage. This unusual positioning has two main advantages:
- Protection Against Foreign Object Damage (FOD): It increases safety by protecting the engines from stones, soil, or other foreign materials that might be kicked up from the runway.
- Adaptation to Short Runways: This design allows the aircraft to operate safely on short, even unpaved and gravel runways.
Antonov An-158 (KHMedia)
Technical Specifications
- Capacity: 86–99 passengers
- Engines: 2 x Progress D-436-148 turbofan engines
- Cruising Speed: Approximately 850 km/h
- Maximum Flight Altitude: 12,200 meters
- Range: 2,500 km when fully loaded
- Service Life: 80,000 flight hours or 40 years
Operational Capabilities and Market Strategy
The An-158 aims to offer an ideal solution particularly for airports in regions with underdeveloped infrastructure. The aircraft's main objective is to replace older generation regional jets (such as the Tupolev Tu-134 and Yakovlev Yak-42). Flight tests have observed that the modern fly-by-wire (electronic flight control) system and advanced avionics offer easy control for pilots. These versatile operational capabilities have allowed the aircraft to find a place in markets such as Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
