Full-flight simulator for Tu-204SM

The upgraded Tupolev Tu-204SM narrowbody airliner has yet to find its launch customer, but the manufacturer already has a full-flight simulator with six degrees of freedom for this aircraft, the only system of this class that can be used to train Tu-204SM crew. The simulator was approved by the Federal Air Transport Agency in June 2015. Only navigation simulators were previously available for this aircraft modification. Work to develop the simulator began in the second half of 2012. Final tests were successfully completed in May this year. The project involved the Dutch companies Moog and Sim-Industries B.V., and also Rockwell Collins of the US. Moog supplied the control loading solution, Sim-Industries provided the cockpit module, and Rockwell Collins was responsible for the visualization system. Other participants included Russia’s CKT Company, Transas Aviation, Aviastar-SP, Ulyanovsk Instrument Manufacturing Design Bureau, and Aviapribor Corporation.

The simulator has been installed in Building 10 of Tupolev’s flight test center in Zhukovsky. It will be manned by Tupolev instructors.

The Tu-204SM is an upgraded version of the Tu-204/Tu-214 family. It can carry up to 194 passengers for up to 4,800 km. The aircraft features improved overall performance and is equipped with the improved Aviadvigatel PS-90A2 engines and a new TA18-200M auxiliary power unit. The two-crew Tu-204SM was certified in May 2013; the aircraft has ETOPS-120 rating.

There are currently no customers for the airliner. Moscow-based VIM Airlines signed a letter of intent with the lessor Ilyushin Finance Co. at MAKS 2013. for the purchase of five such aircraft and an option for five more.

Yuri Slyusar, president of Tupolev’s parent company United Aircraft Corporation, said this summer that the Tu-204/214 family, including the -SM modification, will be offered in the bizav configuration.