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Old 7th Sep 2004, 05:54
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Join Date: Dec 2001
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On the first view most of the soviet numbers look favorable.
The 144 could carry up to 150 pax in a 5 abrest seating, while the concorde could carry up to 108 in a 4 abrest configuration.
The later 144D-Version with improved engines claims to have about the same fuel capacity as Concorde (95t) and about the same range (6500 km), so they should run on comparable MPG but the 144 could carry 40% more pax.
Anyway these figures may be at different speed, and the engine TBO of the russians might have well outrun fuel costs.
Obviously both failed to provide profitable passenger service after the 70s oil price rise.
The 2000 paris crash would most probably not have happened with the 144, as the undercariage is placed in the engines nacelle and the tire debris trajectory does not affect any fuel tanks. Additionally the Vmc is much lower for the 144 using the canard in low speed configuration allowing the elevons to be used as a flap and increase overall lift. (looking at the canard, it is a REAL high lift device : double slottet slats and triple slottet flaps ! It must provide a C l max of 3 or even more) The engines closer to the centerline are also helpful if you loose two on the same side.

Unfortunately facts and myth mix for both planes and hard facts are not available to most of us folks.
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