Tu-204SM

The saturation of the Russian transportation market with up-to-date aircraft required the creation of a competitive aircraft - the Tu-204CM [aka Tu-205SM]. The intentt was the minimization of aircraft Tu-204CM serial production costs and launch terms at the expense of unification with certified aircraft Tu-204-100 and Tu-204-300.

Aircraft issued at the Kazan Aviation Production Association (KAPA) are designated Tu-214. In February 2012 General Director of "JSC Transaero" Olga Pleshakova said to Komsomolskaya Pravda "The fact that our aviation industry is unfortunately not able to establish mass production of the Tu-214, in my opinion, due to the fact that this project has not been a breakthrough. It was based on the former Soviet backlog and no longer met the needs of modern times."

The program focused on creation and certification of new systems and units to be introduced and incorporated in the prospective middle range aircraft. Forming an optimum system of technical maintenance (TM) taking into account the experience of foreign and domestic operators. Establishing an up-to-date system of after sale product support (ASPS) in accordance with the airworthiness support system. Extension of the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL). Reduction of the direct operation costs compared to the aircraft Tu-204 prototype.

Within the framework of the Tu-204CM project, the new trend in using training flight simulators have become evident such as training aids united by computer nets into training complexes (TC) and multilevel ones. The automated training systems within the training computer classes serve for a theoretical training. The procedure simulators are the aids for primary and main practical on-ground simulator) training to prepare crews for executing particular flight procedures. Complex simulators serve to master the aircraft at all flight modes. The complex and step-by-step using of the above said training aids helps in training the flight crews on the ground practically without using real aircraft.

The Tu-204 SM is a further development of the Tu-204/Tu-214 aircraft family. It provides compliance with the Russian and international flight safety requirements including newly introduced ICAO and Eurocontrol ones. Certification of the aircraft came in 2011 – 2012, wtih compliance with the ETOPS-120 requirements. Extension of expected operation conditions (EOC) was in accordance with operators requests within mutually agreed dates.

As engines for the aircraft Tu-204CM power plant the PS-90A2 engine was certified according to AP-33 rules is used. A number of technical solutions aimed at achieving high operation economy, extended time between overhauls, have been used.

Main changes in design of aircraft CM and its systems include the upgraded interior, the aircraft general equipment control system (SUOSO), the airborne maintenance and diagnostics system (VSTO-204), and the digital automatic cabin air pressure control system (SARD).

Sustainer engine PS-90A2 whose operation costs are significantly lower than those of PS-90A. The PS-90A2 engine has an extended time between overhauls and an assigned service life of main parts: cold part – 20 000 cycles; hot part - 10 000 cycles.

APU TA-18-200M whose critical altitude of in-flight starting is up to height H=12 000 m, and on the aerodromes is up to height of H=4 500 m. The upgraded landing gear with its service life that corresponds to that of the airframe.

The aircraft meets Russian and international flight safety requirements, including newly introduced requirements of ICAO and Eurocontrol, and ETOPS-120 requirements. According to its performance, Tu-204SM is highly competitive with its foreign analogues. Tu-204SM exceeds its predecessors of the Tu-204 family in navigational and flying performance, meets world's fuel efficiency, comfortability and maintenance performance requirements, including ICAO Chapter 4 perceivable noise requirements. By the decision of the Aviation Register of the Interstate Aviation Committee, a Supplement to Type Certificate No ST223-Tu-204-120SE/D10 for Tu-204SM aircraft was issued to "Tupolev" JSC on 31/05/2013.

Passengers of Tu-204SM are provided with high level of individual comfort: spacious overhead compartments, sound absorbing structures, providing low noise level in the passenger cabin. The aircraft has audio and video systems for in-flight entertainment of passengers and solid-state lighting equipment.

Russia pursued talks with Iran's Kish Airlines on the possible supply of 15 Russian Tu-204SM aircraft, Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade said 22 December 2015. "The Russian side is ready to offer Tu-204SM aircraft to our Iranian colleagues. Currently, talks are proceeding with the Iranian Kish Airlines on the supply of 10-15 planes of this type," the ministry said after a meeting between the ministry's head, Denis Manturov, and Iranian Minister of Industries and Business Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh.

The two ministers met in Tehran a day after the opening of the three-day Russia-Iran Trade and Industrial Dialogue in the Iranian capital. Manturov headed Russia's delegation to the event, where Russian companies are showcasing their export and investment potential. The event was attended by several Iranian ministers, including the defense, communications and agriculture ministers.