Hall, the owner of the local ground support company Omni Logistics, craned his neck to look up at the monstrous Ukrainian cargo plane as it came to a halt near the south passenger terminal at Fairbanks International Airport.
The AN-225 boasts six jet engines, a 290-foot wingspan and landing gear with 32 tires that come up to crew members’ chests. The barrel-shaped body is capable of carrying more than 50 vehicles, with a total cargo capacity of more than 250 tons.
Not only is it the biggest functioning airplane in the world, the Soviet-era plane is the only one of its kind.
“I don’t care what anybody says,” Hall said. “That’s an impressive airplane.”
The AN-225 touched down in Fairbanks at about 10:15 a.m. for a layover to refuel and rest the crew. The plane is on a trip from Narita, Japan to Haiti with a load of earthquake disaster relief equipment.
The beefy cargo plane has never been in Fairbanks before, and the novelty wasn’t lost on airport employees. Dozens of people wandered outside the terminal to take pictures or pose in front of the AN-225, while civilians crowded behind a nearby gate to get a closer look at the airplane.
The AN-225 is scheduled to remain in Fairbanks until 11 p.m. tonight, when it will resume its trip with a nonstop flight to Miami.
Your comment Tuesday 9th Feb
Quote
the an 225 landed because the runway is frozen,otherwise it would have crushed the asphalt up.
Unquote
Absolute Alaskan Dogs Breath ! Do take a course in Flight Dispatch before you make such comments.
Both the AN124-100 and the AN225 have a better spread on their wheels than some of the more US designed and built aircraft that are in service today and have been for many years.
Dear Setec - Tuesday 9th
Well done you are absolutley correct
Dear 1 coolguy Thursday 11th
You would not call this a POS, if you were in Haiti without a home food or fresh water.
Both the AN124 and AN225 have contributed alot in Disaster Emergency situations and people like you should be thankful for the people and countries who operate these aircraft types.
I beg to differ with you there!
AN225 can carry 550,000lbs or 250tonnes
AN124 can carry 330,000lbs or 150tonnes
Bigger is sometimes better :) I do not see many B747's carrying main battle tanks and CH47 Chinooks into battlezones.
I work with this so called POS and can vouch it is not so ;)
No womder there is only 1 in operation - it's a POS.
____________
Not so alaskan... The tire pressure on the Antonov is the same as on the C5 and other large cargo planes. It is the tire pressure that determines the pressure on the pavement. Now when the plane sits on the apron, yes... they need concrete "stands" because asphalt (unfrozen) will creep and begin to fail under the immense weight. But all of the large commercial planes need that... even the 737s.
AN-225
I really need to get some glasses. DUH
NICE PICTURES, sorry for not seeing them the first time.
Sure the picture of the tail looks cool but, the rest of it would be nice as well.
Just an idea.