Antonov An-28 Facts for Kids

The Antonov An-28 (known as "Cash" by NATO) is a strong and reliable airplane that was first built in the USSR. It's a twin-engined aircraft, which means it has two engines, and it uses propellers (called turboprops) to fly. This plane was designed to carry people or cargo over short distances, even to places with rough landing strips. It's like a workhorse of the skies, built to be tough and dependable for many different jobs.

class="infobox " style="float: right; clear: right; width: 315px; border-spacing: 2px; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;" ! colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: large; padding-bottom: 0.3em;" | Antonov An-28 |-

|- | colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | |-

|colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa;text-align:center;" |

Antonov An-28

! First flight | 1969 |-

! Introduction | 1986 |-

! Developed from | Antonov An-14 |- ! Variants | PZL M28
Antonov An-38 |-

What is the Antonov An-28?
Images for kids
See also

What is the Antonov An-28?

The Antonov An-28 is a light transport aircraft. This means it's not a giant jumbo jet, but a smaller plane used for specific tasks. It's known for being able to take off and land on very short runways, even if they are not paved. This makes it perfect for reaching remote areas or places where larger planes can't go.

How Was It Developed?

The An-28 was created by the Antonov design bureau. It was an improved version of an earlier plane called the Antonov An-14. The An-14 was smaller and used piston engines, which are similar to car engines. The engineers at Antonov wanted a bigger, more powerful plane. So, they designed the An-28 with stronger turboprop engines. These engines give it more power and allow it to carry more weight.

The first An-28 flew in 1969. After some testing and improvements, it officially started being used in 1986. Over 190 of these planes were built between 1975 and 1993.

What Can It Do?

The An-28 is very versatile. It can carry up to 17 passengers or about 1,750 kilograms (around 3,850 pounds) of cargo. Its strong design allows it to operate in different weather conditions and from various types of airfields. This includes grass strips or even unpaved areas.

Its main uses include:

Transporting people to small towns or remote locations.
Carrying supplies and equipment.
Medical evacuation flights.
Search and rescue missions.

Key Features of the An-28

The An-28 has several features that make it good at its job:

High-Wing Design: The wings are placed high on the fuselage (the main body of the plane). This helps protect the propellers from debris when taking off or landing on rough ground.
Twin-Tail: It has two vertical fins at the back, which helps with stability and control.
Turboprop Engines: These engines are powerful and fuel-efficient for the type of work the plane does.
Tough Landing Gear: The landing gear is built to handle rough landings on uneven surfaces.

Where Is It Used Today?

Even though it was designed many years ago, the Antonov An-28 is still in service today. Many countries around the world use it for transport, especially in regions where airfields are not well-developed. It shows how well-built and reliable this aircraft is.