Mikoyan MiG 18-50

Mikoyan

Industry	Aviation
Founded	1990
Headquarters	Russia
Products	Aircraft (MiG 18-50)

Template:Infobox aircraft

The Mikoyan MiG 18-50 (Cyrillic: Микоян МиГ 18-50) was a Russian aviation initiative from the 1990s aimed at creating a versatile aircraft adaptable as either a regional airliner or a long-range business jet. The model number 18-50 highlighted its dual seating configurations: accommodating 18 passengers in a business jet layout or 50 passengers as a regional airliner. Initially developed by Mikoyan, the project was not advanced to manufacturing. By 1993, Aviaprom assumed responsibility for its further refinement, initially rebranding it as the Eurasia 18-50 (Евразия 18-50), before transitioning into an 8 to 18-seat business jet variant known as the Aviastayer (Авиастайер).

Design

The overall configuration of the 18-50 aligned with conventional designs within its category. It featured a low-wing cantilever monoplane structure, complemented by a cruciform tail assembly and swept flying surfaces throughout. Propulsion was planned via two turbofan engines mounted in nacelles affixed to the rear fuselage sides. The landing gear was designed as retractable tricycle units.

For the business jet role, the aircraft would have been outfitted with an advanced communications package incorporating telephone and telefax capabilities. In its airliner configuration, seating was arranged four abreast along a central aisle. Additionally, Mikoyan explored a stretched fuselage variant capable of seating between 75 and 100 passengers.

Development

The 18-50 initiative emerged from joint design research undertaken in the late 1980s by the Tajik Aviation Association, the Saratov Aviation Factory, and the Riga Civil Aviation Engineers Institute (RKIIGA).

In the final phase of the Soviet era, aviation manufacturers were subject to government konversiya policies aimed at converting Cold War military production capabilities for civilian applications. Business jets, referred to as "administrative service" (административно служебными; administrativno sluzhebnymi) aircraft, represented a promising and relatively untapped sector, with industry analysis revealing substantial global demand. In 1990, Mikoyan initiated development of such a craft under a konversiya program, building on earlier design efforts and collaborating with the original partner organisations. This was one among several similar projects emerging from Russia’s aerospace industry at that time. The design stood out due to its advanced communications equipment, genuine intercontinental range, and superior interior comfort. Mikoyan unveiled the business jet variant at the Asian Aerospace 1990 exhibition in Singapore. The aviation magazine Air International described the project as "a good prospect for Western collaboration," especially given the rapidly dissolving Eastern bloc.

In 1991, the Soviet Ministry for the Aviation Industry established the Aviaprom organisation to oversee aviation sector activities, which by July had been transformed into a Joint Stock Company. Mikoyan partnered with this new entity on further development of the 18-50, which was rebranded as Eurasia 18-50. When Aviaprom showcased the design publicly at the 1993 Paris Air Show, it bore the name Aviastayer. Configured to accommodate between 8 and 18 passengers, the Aviastayer’s range had increased from approximately 10,000 kilometres (6,210 mi; 5,400 nmi) to 12,000 kilometres (7,460 mi; 6,480 nmi).

Development work on the Aviastayer persisted through at least 1994, including wind-tunnel evaluations conducted at TsAGI. Mikoyan’s role in the project was managed from its branch office located in Dushanbe. However, ongoing conflict during the Tajikistani Civil War played a significant role in halting progress on the program.