Voronezh Aircraft Production Association (VASO) and EMERCOM signed the delivery and acceptance certificate for An-148-100EM aircraft intended for EMERCOM in Voronezh on April 10th, press-service of VASO reports.
«EMERCOM took delivery of the unique jet in accordance with the contract signed by the ministry and United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). VASO (part of UAC) manufactured the jet, - the company noted. – The jet was delivered to EMERCOM with a full set of operational documentation and belongings. The liner meets the claimed aircraft performance and it is ready for performing flights in the network of EMERCOM’s activities».
«The enterprise did a great job. We have manufactured five versions of An-148-100EM’s layout in accordance with the customer’s specification: two passenger versions and three combined medical and passenger versions. These changes made in the design of basic An-148-100 aircraft were approved by IAC in March and the jet was certified as An-148-100EM. We hope that the aircraft will prove its worth as reliable and safe vehicle intended for saving people in need», - the head of An-148 program at VASO, Igor Abramov, noted.
The important advantage of An-148-100Em is the ability to operate from unpaved runways confirmed by the type certificate. The advanced flight and navigation equipment, radio communication equipment, multifunction displays and fly-by-wire flight controls allow using the flying hospital at any location and under any weather and lighting conditions. As against the passenger version, this jet is fitted with satellite communication system and it also provides internet access.
The conversion of the jet from one version into another will be performed by the operator. At that the installation of one medical module takes only 10-15 minutes. The medical modules, med equipment and some of the seats may be transported in luggage compartment, VASO noted.
EMERCOM intends to put two An-148-100Ems into service in 2013. It was stated by the new head of EMERCOM, Vladimir Puchkov, in January 2013. The second An-148-100EM aircraft will be delivered to the customer in summer. According to the schedule, the jet was delivered to the flight-test center of VASO on April 9th.
