Iszada IA-131
| Iszada IA-131 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Narrow-body jet airliner |
| National origin | Kathia |
| Manufacturer | Iszada Aircraft Corporation |
| First flight | 12 April, 1573 |
| Introduction | 1 August, 1574, with Kathic Allonian Airlines |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Kathic Allonian Airlines |
| Produced | 1572-1602 |
| Number built | 1,100 |
| Unit cost |
US$64M (1595)
|
| Developed into | A200neo |
The Iszada IA-131 is a mid sized, narrow-body, short to medium range jet liner produced by Iszada Aircraft Corporation between 1982-2012. The IA-131 features a twinjet layout, as well as a glass cockpit, a conventional tail, and a supercritical wing. The IA-131 was positioned between the Airbus A320 and the Airbus A300. Despite Iszada's incorporation into Airbus in 1583, production of the IA-131 continued under its original name.
The IA-131 was produced in two fuselage lengths, and was also produced in a cargo variant (Airbus also converts IA-131s into cargo aircraft). The IA-131-10 features a range of 8,150 km, while the ER version features a range of 10,300 km. All versions of the IA-131 are powered by the Ketas KT420 series engines. The ER variants are also some of the first aircraft to feature split-winglets. Kathic Allonian placed the IA-131 into service in 1984, and the aircraft succeeded earlier narrow body aircraft on longer routes. After the aircraft was granted ETOPs certification, it began to be used on intercontinental routes. The aircraft was popular with Auroran mainline and charter airlines, as well as cargo airlines.
Development
By the 1560s, Iszada was still figuring out how to replace the IA-101. While the re-engined -50/-60 sold well to original operators, the design of the jet was outdated and unsuited for the modern aircraft market, as airlines were increasingly conscious of fuel cost, as the IA-101 was not great with fuel burn with its 4 engines. A partial redesign, with two engines instead of 4, was offered to airlines in 1566, but garnered no interest to IA-101 operators or potential customers. The design, which was also the first Iszada aircraft design aided by computers, soon drifted more and more away from the IA-101's design, and the only noticeable feature the two share is the cabin cross section.
The aircraft featured high-bypass-ratio turbofan engines, new flight deck technologies, lower operating costs compared to earlier aircraft, and new aerodynamic features such as an advanced wing design. By 1570, the IA-1M1 project was launched as the IA-131. However Ketas was having trouble with the new engines, which were three-spool engines to redice engine cross section and to increase efficiency. In 1981, Ketas was bailed out by the government and nationalized, and soon completed work on the new KT420 engines. Iszada, also suffering financial losses due to the project, filed for bankruptcy in 1980, and was also nationalized. Both companies were placed under management of the newly formed Kathic United Air Corporation, and work on the IA-131 project continued under government ownership. Despite this, the advanced IA-111, the IA-112, was released on time and under budget.
Kathic Allonian became the first customer to order the IA-131, with an order for 15 aircraft. The aircraft finally made its first flight at the Vydau Assembly Plant in 1573, 1 year behind schedule. That year, the aircraft also made its debut at the Vydau Air Festival, and the following year made an around-the-world sales tour in an attempt to sell aircraft (a similar tactic used to sell the A300 several years earlier).
Design
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Variants
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IA-131-10
The IA 131-10 was the initial variant offered, and entered service in 1574 with Kathic Allonian Airlines. The -10 was powered by the Ketas KT420-3 engines, could could carry 217 people in 1 class, or 193 in 2 class configuration. The original -10 had a range of 8,150 km. In 1580, new build -10s were fitted with the KT420-5 engines, which were 4% more fuel efficient than the KT420-3 engines. This also increased the range slightly to 8,276 km. These aircraft were given the -12 designation, but only 76 were built, as the -10ER was released in 1584 and featured split-winglets and the newer KT420-9 engines. The -10ER had a range of 10,300 km, and became very popular on "thin" routes (routes with intercontinental demand but were too small of markets for wide-body aircraft). Of the total production number of the IA-131, over 1/3 were the IA-131-10ER.
IA-131-20
The IA-131-20 features a lengthened fuselage, and can seat up to 280 passengers. It is one of the longest single-aisle aircraft built. The IA-131-20 is extended before and aft of the wings. The type was put into service in 1586, and the original version featured a range of 6,723km. In 1590, the IA-131-20ER was released and featured split-wingtips like that of the IA-131-10ER. The IA-131-20 was ordered by several charter airlines, and the release of the ER version made it popular on trans-Allonian flights. The -20 achieved mild success, selling 100 aircraft.
Government, military, and corporate
The IA-131 has been ordered by several governments as transport aircraft.
Kathic Air Force: The Kathic Air Force operates 9 IA-131-10ERs, mainly used to operate to airports that cannot accommodate the main A340-500. The type was ordered in 1593, with 9 delivered. It is mainly used by the Deputy Prime minister, the Royal Family, members of the cabinet, and occasionally the Prime Minister.
Operators
Orders and Deliveries
Aircraft on Display
K8390KO, the second aircraft delivered to Kathic Allonian Airlines as well as the 14th aircraft off the assembly line, is on display at the Vydau Museum of Aviation, which operates a partnership with the airline.