Production of “Baikal” aircraft is to start in 2020

Production of three pilot planes of the light transport aircraft “Baikal” (TVS-2DTS) is scheduled to start at Ulan-Ude aircraft plant in 2020, informs RIA Novosti new agency, referring to the official representative of the holding “Russian Helicopters”. The new aircraft will replace Antonov-2.

Serial manufacture of the aircraft is scheduled for 2021. The first carrier to operate the airplane will be Polyarniye Airlines from Yakutia.

TVS-2DTS is a light motor airplane developed by the Siberian Tchaplygin Aircraft Research and Development Institute to replace Antonov-2, which is now being extensively used by regional air companies. The new aircraft will be used to provide air service to remote settlements, to support state-offered services and to provide emergency medical aid for local population, to perform forest firefighting and agricultural works. One of the requirements to the aircraft is to be able to land and take off from dirt runways, water or ice.