Specialists from the Moscow Aviation Institute and the Tupolev company have launched a project to modernize the Tu-214 medium-haul aircraft. The primary objective is to reduce the flight crew from three to two members by eliminating the flight engineer position. This shift requires significant modifications to the aircraft's control systems and the optimization of its onboard equipment suite.
Engineers are currently evaluating existing components to determine which parts require upgrades or full replacement. A key constraint for the project is maintaining cost efficiency, specifically regarding both the development phase and the subsequent certification process. Initial design solutions are expected to be finalized by the end of October.
The project includes the development of a preliminary budget, a detailed work schedule, and a framework for industrial collaboration. The team is also considering the construction of an integration test bench to validate the updated avionics before moving to ground and flight testing. Serial production will take place at the Kazan Aviation Plant.
