Wright International Air Freight

Air Freight, Air Cargo, Air Haulage, Cargo Plane Service 

Wright International Ltd has over the years expanded in not only geographic terms, but also in the wide range of services we can provide as well. Whilst we are primarily a marine based company, we have also now established ourselves within the fiercely competitive air freight industry.

Wright International Ltd successfully sold and delivered a small passenger boat in Scotland to a customer in Kazakhstan. By far the quickest, safest and most reliable way to deliver this boat was indeed by air cargo. You can view more details and photo's of this sale and delivery at http://www.wright-international.com/SpiritofSkyeDelivery.php

The plane that carried this boat was none other than the Antonov AN-22. The Antonov AN-22 is much like the Spitfire, Concorde, Hercules and such like as they have all became icons over the years. At one point in this aircrafts life it was classed as the world’s largest aircraft. This prestigious title was of course passed over to the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. However, to this day it still remains the world’s largest turboprop powered aircraft.

The Antonov AN-22 was first introduced to the world at the 1965 Paris Air Show. Many aviation enthusiasts will note the similarity between the Antonov AN-22 and the Antonov An-12. The main difference between the two aircrafts is the Antonov AN-22 has a twin tail instead of a single tail fin. The twin tail gives far better engine performance and also reduces the height allowing access to more hangers throughout the world.

As the Antonov AN-22 was designed as a strategic airlifter, it was essential that it had the power and capabilities to take off and land in short airstrips. This was achieved thanks to the four pairs of contra-rotating propellers. You may note the similarities with these engines to other planes such as the Tupolev TU-114. These engines generate enough thrust to allow short take offs and also create a slipstream over the wings and large double-slotted flaps.

The landing gear was also specially designed for this aircraft and features the ability to alter the tyre pressure in mid-flight for optimum landing performance, even in rough terrain.

As the Antonov AN-22 has a cargo bay length of 33m and a volume space of 639m3, the cargo loads carried over the years have varied significantly. With a maximum speed of 400 knots and a range of 2,700 nautical miles, the cargo load is very much available worldwide.

The photographs shown in this article is believed to be the only Antonov AN-22 in the world still in airline service, all others are believed to be used only for military operations. As military use was inevitable, the cargo space was designed not to be pressurised to allow the rear cargo door to be opened mid-flight for operations involving air drops or paratroops etc. the forward accommodation unit provides enough space for 5 – 8 of a crew and up to 28 passengers.

This aircrafts vital statistics are as impressive as the aircrafts presence:-

• Payload: 80,000 kg (180,000 lb)
• Length: 57.9 m (190 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 64.4 m (211 ft 3 in)
• Height: 12.53 m (41 ft 1 in)
• Wing area: 345 m² (3,713 ft²)
• Empty weight: 114,000 kg (251,330 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 250,000 kg (551,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 4 × Kuznetsov NK-12MA turboprops driving contra-rotating propellers, 11,030 kW (15,000hp) each

Wright International Ltd is now in a position to help deliver any cargo you require via air cargo. Whether you are moving vehicles, machinery, pipes, cables or you require a means of avoiding difficult country borders, this is the way to do it.

Why not email us at AirFreight@Wright-International.com with your requirements and let us quote you for this service. It may be far less than you imagine.