Antonov An-38

Antonov Design Bureau

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	January 31, 1946 (1946-01-31)
Headquarters	Kyiv , Ukraine
Products	Aircraft, including Antonov An-38

Template:Infobox aircraft The Antonov An-38 represents an extended and modernized iteration of the earlier An-28 model. This twin-engine turboprop aircraft was engineered by the Antonov Design Bureau based in Kyiv, Ukraine. While manufacturing primarily takes place in Novosibirsk, Russia, key components are also sourced from Ukraine and Belarus. Its maiden flight occurred in 1994, followed by the acquisition of international certification in April 2000. Out of the 11 units produced, only two were reported to be operational as of August 2019. According to a recent documentary, as of 2021, just a single aircraft remains active within the fleet of ALROSA Airlines.Template:Unreliable source?

Development

The concept to extend the Antonov An-28 originated during a 1989 sales trip to India, where demand was identified for an aircraft with seating capacity in the range of 25 to 30 passengers, similar to but larger than the An-28. The project received approval in 1990 and was showcased as a scale model at the 1991 Paris Air Show.

File:An-38-100-1999a.jpg

Antonov An-38-100 displayed at MAKS 1999.

While retaining the wings and tail assembly of its predecessor, the An-38 features an elongated fuselage along with multiple advancements. These include improved fuel consumption, enhanced comfort levels for both cabin and cockpit occupants, reduced cabin noise, and upgraded soundproofing. Passenger capacity was increased to 27 through a higher maximum payload rating of 2,500 kg (5,500 lbs), and it achieves a top speed of approximately 405 km/h (250 mph). Engineered for operation under challenging circumstances, it is equipped with weather radar, advanced navigation systems, and low-pressure tires that permit takeoffs and landings on rudimentary, unpaved, or icy runways. Additionally, this model demonstrates greater resistance to aerodynamic stall at elevated angles of attack and maintains stability and maneuverability even when ice accumulates on its wings and tail surfaces.

Civil operators

As of August 2019, ALROSA is operating two Antonov An-38 aircraft within its fleet. More recent accounts from 2021 indicate that only a single aircraft remains active in service.

Previous operators Template:RUS

• Vostok Aviation Company