'Ruslan' Flight deck picture
 

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/631785/L/

I was looking at this and noticed that the aircraft is new. Russian aviation has come a long, long way in the last twenty years, and I'm going to make a couple of assumptions:

1) It's a four engined transport. Would the electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems not be similar in principle to most other civil aircraft? By this I mean a few manufacturers seemed to have settled on reasonably similar methods for systems layout - common sense practice I suppose.

2) Given the above, why so many crew stations? I can see six seats - what does everybody do?

I'm not being critical - on the contrary, I think it's fab. I'm just wondering how the operation of such an aircraft differs systemically to others.

Looks a bit 'agricultural' doesn't it? I imagine one operates the threshing machine, another makes sure the baler is baling OK.........
One station will be communicator- they used to have a separate Radio Operator for language difficulties. They used to have a Navigator station with wonderful ADF sets on enormous compass scales. One will certainly be a Loadmaster and one a Flight Engineer- I would not expect a 70s aeroplane to have the degree of automation we in the west take for granted now.

Well I personally like the fitted carpet and the MDF desk with the semi circle cut out with a Swiss Army Wife.
Seriously though there would be the opportunity for some pretty lively discussions and a great opportunity to play Chinese Fire Drill!
Do you think that it could be Naval Transport with all that Blue and Grey?

Usually 2 Pilots, 2 Flight engineers, Navigators and radio operator plus the Flight manager usually sits up front....

VEEPs

"brand new aircraft ... just 1 month old"

Hmmm, it's taken them a while. RA-82080 was last reported as being 80% complete at the factory 5 years ago, in 1999 !!

I think you'll also find it looks pretty much the same as the early ones, that were indeed produced 20 years ago.

Why the blue panels?? Looks hideous!

Pale blue is the standard Russian colour for military/civil jets. Many years ago was shown around an IL62 Flight Deck. Can't remember exactly, but I think it was an equally nauseating pale green.

An-124
Stbd: Engineer & Electrical Engineer
Port: Navigator & Radio Operator
Behind that lot there's a galley and dining area and aft of that, a bunk area which I haven't seen because, on my visit, the crew was asleep - no hotel bills :(
Nice curtains to keep the sun out of ones eyes.
Quite a bit of kit - roll on/roll off, overhead travelling crane. Just one thing - the ladder to the flight deck is a bit shaky even compared with the B747-200F :ooh:

and don't forget the deck chair on the flight deck for the extra crew member ;)

Interesting interior departure from the Cold War years. Back in their 'glory' days of the MIG-25, their engineers had determined that a 'subtle green' interior was the most calming for their pilots. The question remains, calming in what sense?

A guess. Green probably makes it feel like your lying on grass? or perhaps in a forest :rolleyes: Does that sound relaxing and calming? :p

So which one's the vodka bottle then? :D :D

I like the "subtle" panel lights. Really match the decor!:rolleyes:

Had a good look over a few AN124's in the early 90's. Highlight of my nosing around was the avionics bay!:ugh: One word...valves!!!!:eek:

more room in that kitchen than mine at home ??

Basil,

Simple...ALL of them!