The Antonov An-38 is a stretched and upgraded version of Antonov's earlier An-28. It is a twin-engined

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transport aircraft, designed by the Antonov Design Bureau in

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. Production is in

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, but some crucial parts are also made in Ukraine and

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. It first flew in

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, and received international flight certification in April

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. A total of 11 were built and 2 remain in airline service as of August 2019.

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, 3–9 October 2006 A recent documentary says that only one remains in service with ALROSA Airlines in 2021.Archived a
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Development

Impetus for a stretch of the Antonov An-28 design began with a

1989 1989 was a turning point in political history with the "Revolutions of 1989" which ended communism in Eastern Bloc of Europe, starting in Poland and Hungary, with experiments in power-sharing coming to a head with the opening of the Berlin W ...

sales tour in India, where it became clear that a significant market existed for an aircraft similar to the An-28, but with seating in the 25–30 seat range. The design was approved a year later, and was displayed at the

1991 It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...

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as a model. An-38-100-1999a

The An-38 is of a similar design to the older An-28, featuring the same wings and tail; but it has a longer fuselage and includes several enhancements, such as higher fuel efficiency, increased comfort (cabin and cockpit), and decreased internal noise, coupled with better sound insulation. Other improvements include an increase in passengers to 27, thanks to an increase in maximum payload to 2,500 kg (5,500 lbs), as well as a maximum speed of 405 km/h (250 mph). Its design also enables it to operate in adverse conditions—it is equipped with weather radar, sophisticated navigational systems, and low pressure tires that allow it to operate from primitive, unpaved and icy airfields. Furthermore, the aircraft is more resistant to stalling at high angles of attack and is stable and maneuverable with ice on the wing and tail assembly.

Civil operators

As of August 2019, 2 Antonov An-38 aircraft remain in airline service with

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. Recent reviews suggest only one remains in service in 2021. Former operators * Vostok Aviation Company

Specifications (An-38-100)

Development

Civil operators

Specifications (An-38-100)

See also

References

Further reading