РЏТ Ї Й O Й ТНЕ ЯЇТҗ–plane speaking
{please excuse the abuse of the Crylic letters}
Below is a SimpleFlying article inventorying the opulence of Vladimir Putin’s executive (fitting for a Czar) aircraft. Its extravagance exposes the country’s foundational philosophy as hypocritical. Here is a succinct statement of Russia’s egalitarianism in ideal terms as opposed to the elitism exhibited in the UL-96-300PU.
Egalitarianism is a school of thought that “prioritizes social equality” for all people, regardless of their differences in ability, wealth, status, or other factors¹. Communism is a political and economic system that “aims to create a classless society” where all means of production are owned and controlled by the workers². Egalitarianism is a “foundation of communism”, as both ideologies share the goal of eliminating social hierarchies and creating a more equal and fair society.[i]
Airline aficionados might wonder what the PU designation signifies. The ‘PU’ in its name stands for punkt upravleniya [Russian for “command point”]. other things, it is fitted with the “nuclear button.” It is also equipped with anti-missile lasers
radar, electronic, electro-optical and visual control. All the equipment is duplicated to cope with unexpected contingencies – some of it several times over.
The Ilyushin Il-96-300 PU (Russian: Илью́шин Ил-96) is a Russian quadjet long-haul wide-body airliner designed by Ilyushin in the former Soviet Union. The aircraft is 55 meters long with a 60-meter wingspan. It can reach a speed of up to 900 km/h (560 mph) and has four jet engines (while many planes of foreign leaders have two). The same engines are installed on aircraft of the Tupolev Tu-204 and Tupolev Tu-214 series – the two most popular Russian commercial aircraft, which are broadly similar to the Boeing 757.
These aircraft were manufactured by the Voronezh Aircraft Production Association Interior decoration president’s plane Il-96-300-PU (M) led the British company Diamonite Aircraft Furnishings. The total cost of the presidential plane, according to various estimates, nearly $ 300 million in work was done with the participation of VASO jewelers from Zlatoust (gold) and artists from Sergiev Posad. In aircraft equipped with a study and a bedroom president, rooms for attendants, bathroom, toilet, kitchen, conference room, as well as compartments for the protection and maintenance personnel.
There is a simple explanation as to why the president took a liking to the airliner: “There are a number of reasons why the Il-96 is currently used as the government aircraft,” explained Vladimir Talanov, a merited pilot of the Russian Federation. “First of all, it is indeed a very reliable and safe aircraft, something that the airplane’s exploitation over many years has confirmed. Plus, it has an element of prestige for a state leader – not every state leader can afford to fly on his ‘own’ airplane made by the country’s own manufacturers.” And according to former pilot of Aircraft No. 1 Vladimir Fedorushkin, “[Putin] says:
‘I DON’T FLY ON FOREIGN AIRCRAFT IN PRINCIPLE.’ HE WAS NEVER AFRAID, NO, YOU CANNOT CALL HIM A COWARD. IT SIMPLY DOESN’T FLY IN PRINCIPLE AND THAT’S ALL.”
The Il-96 passenger plane had been regarded as the most promising Russian design – the very height of Russian aircraft construction, as it were. But it turned out to be too expensive for the airline companies: Its four engines required twice as much fuel and maintenance spending than foreign airliners. Thus, no commercial airline is flying this epitome of Russian aeronautical engineering is only useful to the country’s President.
If the 45th is reelected, his earlier Air Force One plans will have to be revised with the Il-96-300 PU interior decorations specifications. Or he may have to send Trump Force One for an upgrade? What is clear that the Russian cabin is a jewel of Russian elitism. нет[1] ?
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Inside Putin Force One: What Plane Does The Russian President Fly?
PUBLISHED JUN 17, 2021
Russian President Vladimir Putin clearly enjoys traveling in style. Arriving in Geneva yesterday, his presidential jet, an Il-96-300PU, caused quite a stir. So let’s take a look at the VIP aircraft and what things are like on the inside.
Putin’s plane
The world of presidential jets is an interesting one to look at. While everyone is aware of the modified Boeing 747 VC-25 that often fulfills the duty of Air Force One for the US president, many other heads of state have their own executive transport, some more well-known than others….
The Ilyushin VIP jet
The Presidential jet for Russia is a heavily modified Ilyushin Il-96-300, made in Russia and powered by four Russian-produced Aviadvigatel (Soloviev) PS-90A engines. 19 of these planes have been used for passenger operations, by airlines including Aeroflot and Cubana, but eight are in the special PU variant, designed for VIP transport.
Russia uses four Il-96-300PU for presidential transport, operated by Rossiya Airlines. Prior to Putin, Boris Yeltsin also flew on the Il-96, and altogether five different aircraft have performed this duty over the years, although just four are operational at present.
From the outside, it’s very similar to a regular Rossiya jet, but as soon as the door opens, it’s clearly very different inside.
Reports suggest that at least two are deployed on every presidential trip – one carrying the president, and the other acting as a decoy (as well as transporting some of Putin’s entourage). Rumor has it that when he’s ready to travel, all four jets are fueled up and prepared to leave, at which point Putin selects one at random on which to travel.
As you’d expect, the jet has been heavily modified to allow the president to work, communicate and stay protected while onboard. Specifics are kept tightly under wraps, but reports suggest there are air defense systems and even some sort of escape pod onboard.
What’s inside?
The Russian president isn’t a man who likes to do things by halves, and as such, his VIP jet islavishly equipped inside. The cabins are outfitted in luxurious white leather, walnut veneers and gold accents. The neoclassical styled interior is more akin to a luxury hotel than a plane, and Russia’s coat of arms of the Presidential Standard is embossed on many walls and headrests.
The president sleeps in a private bedroom complete with a king-size bed. He and his guests can gather around a huge conference table for doing business, safely strapped into large white leather seats.
In contrast to your average aircraft galley, the Ilyushin has a swanky presidential bar, fully stocked with the finest wines and whiskeys. More lounge and seating areas are found throughout the aircraft, some of which can convert into sleeping facilities for his guests. There’s even a fully equipped gym on the plane!
The crowning glory, however, is the PRESIDENTIAL BATHROOM. The large washroom comes complete with a gold sink, a gold plated toilet seat and even a bidet. It would put most household bathrooms to shame!
The Russian president has come under fire for the lavish appointment of his jet, something many Russians feel is somewhat over the top. Nevertheless, the Flying Kremlin remains Putin’s main means of international travel, and likely his favorite given all the luxuries onboard.
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[1] NYET.
[i] based on these citations-Egalitarianism – Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egalitarianism;Egalitarianism | Description, Philosophy, History, Types, & Facts. https://www.britannica.com/topic/egalitarianism; Communism (Egalitarianism) | Earthmc Wiki | Fandom. https://earthmc.fandom.com/wiki/Communism_%28Egalitarianism%29.
