The Tupolev Tu-154 (NATO reporting name Careless) is a Russian medium-range trijet airliner. It remains the standard airliner for domestic routes in Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union and to a lesser extent in eastern Europe and Iran.

The Tu-154 was developed to replace the jet-powered Tu-104 'Camel', plus the Antonov An-10 'Cat' and Ilyushin Il-18 'Coot' turboprops. It is designed to operate from austere gravel airfields, to be able to fly at high altitudes above most Soviet Union air traffic, and for takeoff performance.

The Tu-154 first flew on October 4, 1968. Regular commercial service began in February 1972, and production ended in 2006."Aviakor ends Tupolev Tu-154M production after fulfilling last order." Zaitsev, T. Flight International. June 30, 2006.

Design features

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Its construction is sturdy, with 14 big low-pressure tyres enabling it to land on snow-covered unpaved runways without sustaining serious damage. Initially it had three rear-mounted Kuznetsov NK-8-2 jet engines, arranged similar to that of the Boeing 727, giving it a relatively good thrust-to-weight ratio. It has triple bogie main undercarriage units which retract into wing pods, and a T-tail empennage. These features make Tu-154 a reliable and economical workhorse. Close to 1000 have been built with requests even today for resumption of production.

As far as safety statistics are concerned, the Tu-154 has a rather poor record, but the accidents are mostly attributed to human error rather than technical failures.

The comparable western analogues of the Tu-154 were the 727 and BAC One-Eleven. The Boeing has a better fuel efficiency while the Tupolev has better soil load characteristic (Tu-154: 17-19 tonnes, Boeing 727: 31-33 tonnes). For individuals used to Boeing or Airbus airliners, the cabin of the Tu-154 can seem cramped. The impression is of an oval interior, with a lower ceiling than is common on western airliners. The passenger doors are also smaller than on the Tu-154's western counterparts. Furthermore, luggage space in the overhead compartments is very limited.

Variants

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Many variants of this versatile airliner have been built. Apart from the normal differences between weights and powerplants, the Tu-154 was produced in variants which utilized exotic fuels. Like its western counterpart, the 727, many of the Tu-154s in service have been hush-kitted, and some converted to freighters.

Tu-154

The Tu-154 entered service with Aeroflot in 1972. Powered by Kuznetsov NK-8-2 turbofans, carried 167 passengers.

Tu-154A

The first upgraded version of the original Tu-154, the A model added centre-section fuel tanks and more emergency exits, while engines were upgraded to Kuznetsov NK-8-2U models. Avionics upgrades were also included.

Tu-154B

A 180 passenger model with modernised flight controls, added entry doors, and new spoilers.

Tu-154B-1

This version had uprated engines, and advanced operating equipment.

Tu-154B-2

This version has Western flight control and navigation systems, including a crosswind landing system and a new radar system.

Tu-154S

The Tu-154S is an all-cargo or freighter version of the Tu-154B, using a strengthened floor, and adding a forward cargo door on the port side of the fuselage.

Tu-155 / Tu-156

Two prototypes based on this aircraft are the hydrogen- or natural gas-powered Tu-155 and Tu-156. The Tu-155 prototype uses natural gas, or methane, fuel for its central engine, and made its maiden flight in the late 1980s. In the Tu-156 all three engines are adapted to burn either hydrogen or natural gas. Cryogenics technology is used in the development of both Tu-155 and Tu-156.

Tu-154M

Currently, the Tu-154M is the production standard which first flew in 1982. It uses more efficient Aviadvigatel D-30KU turbofans. It is far more economical, quiet, and reliable than previous versions. Aeroflot consistently achieves dispatch reliability above 99% with the Tu-154M, which compares favorably with current western airliners. The original designation was Tu-164.

Tu-154M-LK-1

VIP transport version.

Tu-154M2

Proposed twin engined version, to be powered by two PS-90A turbofan engines.

Tu-154-100

Design with modernised cockpit and redesigned cabin.

Specifications (Tu-154M)

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Civil Operators (Past And Present)

Abakan Air Enterprise, Abakan Avia, Aerocom, Aeroflot, Aeroflot-Don, Aeroflot-Nord, Aerokuznetsk, Aeronica, Aeroservice Kazakhstan, Aerotrans, Aerovolga, Air Georgia, Air Great Wall, Air Koryo, Airlines 400, Air Moldova, Air Savari, Air Transport Europe, Air Ukraine, Air Via, Air Volga, AJT, Albanian Airlines, Alak, Amur Avia, Aria Air, Ariana, Armenian Airlines, Asian Star, Atlant, Atlant-Soyuz, Atyrau Airways, Aviaenergo, Aviaprima, Avial, Avioimpex, AVL Arkhangel, Azerbaijan Airlines, Baikal Airlines, Balkan Bulgarian, Baltic Express, Barnaul Air, Bashkirian Airlines, Belavia, BH Air, Bratsk Air, Bulgarian Air Charter, CAAC, Caspian Airlines, Chelal, Chernomoravia, China Glory, China Northwest, China Southwest, China United, China Xingjiang, Chita Avia, Continental Airways, CSA, Cubana, Daallo, Diamond Sakha, Donavia, East Line, Elk Estonian, Enkor, Georgia Air Prague, Gomel UAD, Hemus Air, Imair, Iran Air Tours, Iron Dragonfly, Kaliningradavia, Khabarovsk Aero, Kish Air, Krasair, KMV, Kolavia, Kyrgyzstan Airlines, Latpass, Libyan Arab Airlines, LOT, Macedonia Airservice, Mahan Air, Malev, Mavial Magadan, Moscow Airways, Murmansk Air, Nizhny Novgorod Air, Odessa Airlines, Omskavia, Orbi Georgian, Orenburg Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Perm Airlines, Polet, Pulkovo, Rossija, Russian Sky, Sakha Avia, Samara Airlines, Samarkand, Shaheen Air, Sibaviatrans, Sibir, Sichuan Airlines, Slovak Airlines, Spair, Surgut Avia, Syrian Air, Tajikistan Airlines, Tarom, Tatarstan Airlines, Tavria, Tesis, Tomsk Air, Transair Georgia, Transeuropean, Turanair, Turkmenistan, Tyumen airlines, Ulyanovsk Airlines, Ural Airlines, UTair, Uzbekistan Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Vitair, Vladivostok Airlines, Vnukovo, Yakutia Airlines, Yamal Airlines, Yuzhnaya.

Military Operators

• Azerbaijan, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Slovak Republic

Notes

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External links

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• More pictures of Tu-154
• Chinese surveillance/ELINT version of TU-154M
• Hundreds of Tupolev 154 photos

Related content

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Soviet airliners 1960-1969 | Tupolev | Tupolev aircraft

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