Azimut 73 Invidia
| Azimut 73 Invidia | |
|---|---|
| File:Azimut 73-2.png | |
| Side view of the Azimut 73B | |
| Role | Wide-body jet airliner |
| National origin | Ainin |
| Manufacturer | Azimut Aviation |
| First flight | 3 August 2005 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Aininian Air Luziyca International Daeconese Airlines Francilian Airlines Toksanese Airlines |
| Produced | 2008-present |
| Number built | TBA |
| Unit cost |
$240.7 million (A-73B)
|
The Azimut 73 Invidia, commonly known as the A-73, is an Aininian long-range, mid-size wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Azimut Aviation. The aircraft's base model, the A-73B, is 49.1 metres long, seats 252 passengers in a three-class configuration and has an operational range of 13,921 km (7,516 nmi). It was introduced in 2005 as a replacement for the 1970s-era Azimut 72 Carmenta, featuring significant improvements in fuel efficiency and performance as well as a fly-by-wire glass cockpit with advanced automation capabilities. While not the first aircraft to employ such technologies, it is the first to be designed around a fly-by-wire configuration.
Development began in the 1990s as airline soperating the A-72 voiced concerns about the poor fuel efficiency of the design compared to the then-new R-100. While their immediate concerns were remedied by the A-72bis upgrade, management continued planning a replacement for the aging design. Development quickened in the 2000s, as the early A-72bis aircraft began reaching the end of their useful service lives without a ready-made replacement. The A-73's maiden flight occurred in Talon, Linaque on 3 August 2005. Demand at launch was high, with large orders from Aininian, Air Luziyca, International Daeconese Airlines and Francilian Airlines, amongst many others. Most customers had previously operated the A-72.
Its main competitor is the Nevan Revontuli R-100.
Development
Early planning for a replacement to the venerable A-72 began in June of 1992 following an internal memorandum circulated by Azimut's upper management warning of the R-100's threat to Azimut's market share. However, development did not begin in earnest until 1994, when several airlines voiced concerns to Azimut executives that their A-72s underperformed the then-new R-100s in fuel efficiency, range and technological advancement. The company responded in the short term by releasing an incremental upgrade, the A-72bis series, but also committed a permanent team to work on Project Scorpio, which would later become the A-73.
With early adopters of the A-72bis seeing their aircraft near the end of their useful service lives, the A-73 project was rushed by Azimut to ensure the continued loyalty of their customers. By 2003, the design had been finalised. A prototype was built in 2004 and first flown in August 2005 from Talon International Airport before a crowd of airline officials and media. The flight was deemed successful and the company received record orders for the aircraft. The first airframe was delivered to Aininian on 1 January 2008.
It was given the designation of 73 as it is the third aircraft produced by Azimut in the role of a mid-sized long-range airliner (after the A-71 Minerva and the A-72 Carmenta). As with all Azimut passenger airliners, it was named after a Latin deity, in this case Invidia, goddess of vengeance.
Variants
A-73A
The Azimut 73A is a slightly truncated model of the Invidia, oriented towards airlines that use the aircraft on point-to-point operations. It is 45.5 m (149 ft 3 in) long and has a slightly increased range of 14,130 km (8,780 mi) due to its lighter weight. It seats around 224 passengers in standard configuration.
A-73B
The Azimut 73B (B for base) is the base model of the Invidia and the most common model in active service. It features two COAV Licorne M344 and is typically configured in a three-class 252-seat arrangement. It has an operational range of 13,517 km (8,399 mi) and a fuselage length of 49.1 m (161 ft 1 in).
A-73E
The Azimut 73E (E for elongated/élargi) is an elongated variant of the Invidia featuring more powerful COAV Licorne M720-D engines. Due to its engines and additional fuel stores, it has an extended range of 14,718 km (9,145 mi). It is 53.7 m (176 ft 4 in) long and features a slightly larger cargo hold (a net increase of 38.7 m³ compared to the base model). In a typical configuration, it seats 298 to 306 passengers.
A-73C
The Azimut 73C (C for cargo) is a full cargo conversion of the A-73E. It has a cargo space of 480.7 m³ (16,976 ft³) but a significantly reduced range of 7,488 km (4,653 mi). It is targeted towards mid-range cargo transport, marketed as a larger and more advanced version of the A-44C.
Azimut Nemesis
The Azimut Nemesis is a military conversion of the Azimut 73B, used in strategic airlift and aerial refuelling roles. The aircraft is outfitted with advanced electronic and physical countermeasures. It is exclusively employed by the Aininian Air Force, which operates 38 of the transports. While there are no plans to manufacture any further models, Azimut maintains the ability to restart production if a demand for the aircraft emerges. The Nemesis has been cleared for export by the Aininian Ministry of Defence to all Esquarian Community and Esquarian Treaty Organisation member-states.
Operators
The Azimut 73 is a very popular long-range airliner in Esquarium, favoured for its fuel efficiency and good size for point-to-point and medium-demand operations.
| Airline | A-73A | A-73B | A-73E | A-73C | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeracara | — | — | 12 | — | 12 |
| Aininian | — | 87 | 51 | 23 | 161 |
| Air Ainin | 20 | 37 | — | — | 57 |
| Air Luziyca | — | 68 | 46 | — | 114 |
| Arc Air | — | — | 12 | — | 12 |
| Francilian Airlines | — | 22 | 28 | — | 50 |
| International Daeconese Airlines | — | 23 | 41 | — | 64 |
| Katranjian Airlines | 15 | 30 | 5 | 5 | 55 |
| Lanosian National Airways | — | 25 | — | 5 | 30 |
| Nautasian Airlines | — | 15 | 12 | 20 | 47 |
| Toksanese Airlines | — | 26 | 11 | — | 37 |
Accidents and incidents
Owing to its short time in service, the Azimut 73 is yet to suffer a hull-loss accident. One fatal incident involving an A-73 has occurred.
- 20 February 2010: Aininian Flight 156, a regularly-scheduled flight between Beaurepaire-Saint-Hyacinthe International Airport in Beaurepaire, Ainin and Tilha'ad International Airport in Tilha'ad, West Nautarya was directed to a closed runway due to controller error. The aircraft struck a pickup truck on the ground, damaging the landing gear and killing all 3 occupants of the truck. The aircraft was repaired and returned to service.
Specifications
| Variant | A-73A | A-73B | A-73E | A-73C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cockpit crew | Two | |||
| Seating, typical | 224 (10F + 34J + 180Y) | 252 (16F + 36J + 200Y) | 298 (16F + 42J + 240Y) | N/A |
| Other seatings | 234 (24F + 210Y) | 240 (20F + 220Y) 266 (12F + 44J + 210Y) |
306 (12F + 48J + 246Y) | N/A |
| Length | 45.5 m (149 ft 3 in) | 49.1 m (161 ft 1 in) | 53.7 m (176 ft 4 in) | |
| Wingspan | 60.3 m (197 ft 10 in) | |||
| Height | 16.8 m (55 ft 1 in) | |||
| Cabin width | 5.40 m (17 ft 9 in) | |||
| Fuselage width | 5.72 m (18 ft 9 in) | |||
| Cargo volume | 144.5 m³ (5,103 ft³) |
183.2 m³ (6,470 ft³) |
480.7 m³ (16,976 ft³) | |
| Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) | ||||
| Maximum landing weight (MLW) | ||||
| Operating empty weight | ||||
| Fuel capacity | ||||
| Engines (x2) | COAV Licorne M344 | COAV Licorne M720-D | ||
| Thrust (x2) | ||||
| Cruise speed | Mach 0.83 (476 kn; 548 mph; 882 km/h) | Mach 0.82 (470 kn; 541 mph; 871 km/h) | ||
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.87 (499 kn; 574 mph; 924 km/h) | |||
| Range, typical | 14,130 km (8,780 mi) |
13,517 km (8,399 mi) |
14,718 km (9,145 mi) |
7,488 km (4,653 mi) |
| Takeoff distance | ||||
| Ceiling | 13,000 m (42,650 ft) | |||
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era