Tupolev Tu-134

The Tupolev Tu-134 (NATO reporting name: Crusty) is a twin-engined, narrow-body jet airliner built in the Soviet Union for short and medium-haul routes from 1966 to 1989. The original version featured a glazed-nose design and, like certain other Russian airliners (including its sister model, the Tu-154), it can operate from unpaved airfields. One of the most widely used aircraft in former Comecon countries, the number in active service is decreasing because of operational safety concerns and noise restrictions. The model has seen long-term service with some 42 countries, with some European airlines having scheduled as many as 12 daily takeoffs and landings per plane. In addition to regular passenger service, it has also been used in various air force, army and navy support roles; for pilot and navigator training; and for aviation research and test projects. In recent years, a number of Tu-134s have been converted for use as VIP transports and business jets. A total of 854 Tu-134s were built of all versions (including test bed examples) with Aeroflot as the largest user by 1995, the Tu-134 had carried 360 million passengers for that airline. Design and development Following the introduction of engines mounted on pylons on the rear fuselage by the French Sud Aviation Caravelle, airliner manufacturers around the world rushed to adopt the new layout. Its advantages included clean wing airflow without disruption by nacelles or pylons and decreased cabin noise. At the same time, placing heavy engines that far back created challenges with the location of the centre of gravity in relation to the centre of lift, which was at the wings. To make room for the engines, the tailplanes had to be relocated to the tail fin, which had to be stronger and therefore heavier, further compounding the tail-heavy arrangement. Operational history In September 1967, the Tu-134 made its first scheduled flight from Moscow to Adler. The Tu-134 was the first Soviet airliner to receive international certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization, which permitted it to be used on international routes. Due to this certification, Aeroflot used most of its Tu-134s on international routes. In 1968, the first export customers, Interflug of East Germany, LOT Polish Airlines and Malév Hungarian Airlines purchased the Tu-134. In 1969, the Tu-134 was displayed at the Paris Air Show. From 1972, Aeroflot began placing the Tu-134 in domestic service to Baku, Yerevan, Kyiv, Kishinev, Krasnodar, Leningrad, Omsk, Riga, and Sochi from Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow. In its early years, the Tu-134 developed a reputation for reliability and efficiency, especially when compared with previous Soviet designs. After the establishment of tougher noise standards in the ICAO regulations in 2002, the Tu-134 was banned from most western European airports for its high noise levels. In early 2006, 245 Tu-134s were still in operation, 162 of which were in Russia. After a fatal accident in March 2007, and at the instigation of Russian Minister of Transportation Igor Levitin, Aeroflot announced that it would be retiring its fleet, and the last Tu-134 was removed from service on 1 January 2008. Some were still in operations with Aeroflot subsidiaries on local routes within Russia. The Tu-134 also found a new life as a business jet with many having an expensive business interior installed. High fuel and maintenance costs are increasingly limiting the number used today. In June 2011, as a response to RusAir Flight 9605 which resulted in 47 fatalities, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev ordered preparations for taking the Tu-134 out of use by 2012. On 22 May 2019, the final passenger flight of the Tu-134 in Russia took place. Many Tu-134s have been preserved as memorials at airports throughout the former Soviet Union. A former Malév Tu-134A (registration HA-LBE) is on display at the Aeropark at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Hungary. Variants Tu-124A The prototype Tu-134 (CCCP-45075) retained this slightly confusing designation. All subsequent aircraft are identified as Tu-134. Tu-134 The glass-nosed version. The first series could seat up to 64 passengers, and this was later increased to 72 passengers. Tu-134A Second series, with upgraded engines, improved avionics, seating up to 84 passengers. All Tu-134A variants have been built with the distinctive glass nose and chin radar dome, but some were modified to the B standard with the radar moved to the nose radome. Tu-134A-2 Projected upgrade of the Tu-134A with D-30M engines and a 0.75 m (2.5 ft) fuselage stretch. Tu-134A-3 Second series, powered by two updated Soloviev D-30 turbofan engines. Tu-134A-5 Most recent version. Tu-134AK Operated by the Russian Air Force and Roscosmos. Tu-134B Second series, 80 seats, radar moved to the nose radome, eliminating the glazed nose. Some Tu-134B models have long-range fuel tanks fitted under the fuselage; these are visible as a sizable bulge. Tu-134B-2, Tu-1324B-2-3 Projected 100-seat version of Tu-134B with D-30 Series 2 or Series 3 engines. Tu-134B-3 Version of Tu-134B with D-30 Series 3 engines. Tu-134BV Space shuttle work model. Tu-134D Projected redesign of the Tu-134A with a new elliptical section fuselage, revised wings, a more powerful APU and other improvements. Development work took place from 1973 to 1976, but was cancelled in favor of the Yakovlev Yak-42. Tu-134G Projected 86-seat version of the Tu-134V. Tu-134LK Cosmonaut training version. Tu-134M Projected modernized version of Tu-134B, powered by Progress D-436T1-134 engines. Tu-134S (Tu-134C) Projected convertible/cargo version based on Tu-134A. Tu-134UBL Tu-160 crew training version, with Tu-160 nose cone. Tu-134UBK Naval version of Tu-134UBL. Only one was ever built. Tu-134BSh Tu-22M crew trainer, fitted with a Tu-22M radar in the nose. Tu-134Sh-1 Crew trainer with bomb racks for heavy bomber crews Tu-134Sh-2 navigator trainer for tactical bomber crews Tu-134SKh Crop survey version. Tu-134V Projected upgrade of the Tu-134A with D-30M engines, radar in the nose and a three-man flight crew. Current operators As of 2024, only a few Tupolev Tu-134s remain in civil passenger airline service worldwide: Syria Syrian Air Force Ukraine Ukrainian Air Force - 15th Transport Aviation Brigade "Aircraft Designer Oleg Antonov" located at Boryspil International Airport Ukrainian Air Guard - 2 aircraft in service Russia Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation Russian Air Force North Korea Air Koryo operates 2 aircraft. They are the last commercial airline to operate the Tupolev 134. Former operators The following airlines, states and other entities at one point operated at least one Tu-134 aircraft: Former civil operators Former military operators Accidents and incidents Specifications (Tu-134A) Data from OKB Tupolev, OAO TupolevGeneral characteristics Crew: 3–5 flight crew + 3–4 flight attendants Capacity: 72–84 passengers / 8,200 kg (18,078 lb) Length: 37.1 m (121 ft 9 in) Wingspan: 29.01 m (95 ft 2 in) Diameter: 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) fuselage diameter Height: 9.02 m (29 ft 7 in) Wing area: 127.3 m2 (1,370 sq ft) Airfoil: root: PR-1-10S-9 (15.7%); tip: PR-1-10S-9 (12%) Empty weight: 27,960 kg (61,641 lb) Gross weight: 47,000 kg (103,617 lb) Max takeoff weight: 47,600 kg (104,940 lb) Fuel capacity: 13,200 L (3,500 US gal; 2,900 imp gal) Powerplant: 2 × Soloviev D-30-II turbofan engines, 66.68 kN (14,990 lbf) thrust each Performance Maximum speed: 950 km/h (590 mph, 510 kn) Cruise speed: 850 km/h (530 mph, 460 kn) Range: 1,900–3,000 km (1,200–1,900 mi, 1,000–1,600 nmi) Ferry range: 3,200 km (2,000 mi, 1,700 nmi) Service ceiling: 12,100 m (39,700 ft) See also Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era BAC One-Eleven Fokker F28 Fellowship Fokker 100 McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Related lists List of civil aircraft List of jet airliners References Sources Fontanellaz, Adrien; Cooper, Tom; Matos, Jose Augusto (2020). War of Intervention in Angola, Volume 3: Angolan and Cuban Air Forces, 1975-1985. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. ISBN 978-1-913118-61-7. Healey, John K. (January–February 2004). "Retired Warriors: 'Cold War' Bomber Legacy". Air Enthusiast. No. 109. pp. 75–79. ISSN 0143-5450. Kingsley-Jones, Max (27 August – 2 September 2002). "World airliner census: Running to Stand Still". Flight International. Vol. 162, no. 4846. pp. 30–55. ISSN 0015-3710. Further reading Komissarov D., Tupolev Tu-134, AeroFax/Midland Publishing (Ian Allan), Hinckley, 2004 External links Media related to Tupolev Tu-134 at Wikimedia Commons