"What is it like to fly the

Russian AN-2"

We have flown our Antonov An2, 73 Alfa November about ninety hours since we purchased it about three years ago and that is one of the most asked questions we get. One good answer we give is that it is like going up in your attic and flying your house around!

But to he truthful, it is a real fun plane and is a pleasure to fly. With the exception of the braking system it is not much different than flying a Cessna 180 or any other higher horsepower tail-dragger.

The AN-2 has a 1,000 horsepower engine and a constant speed propeller, cable controlled tail surfaces, push rod controlled ailerons and electric flaps and trim. The AN-2 is quite heavy on the controls in steep turns and quick maneuvers but on normal correction changes they are about like the C180’s.

Ground handling is a different story. The AN-2 has no hydraulic system for brakes, it uses air, like a truck, with the pressure controlled by a squeeze handle on the left side of the control wheel. There is a differential brake valve connected with the rudder bar which gives full right rudder full right brake and full left rudder full left brake. A differential pressure in between. It takes a while to get used to this system of stopping with your hands rather then your feet but with both inboard and outboard brakes it has plenty of stopping power. An intercom is a must for communicating between the pilot and copilot because it is quite noisy up front with the exhaust about 2 feet away from the copilots right foot. 73 Alfa November is a cargo, Medi-vac, paratroop and crop duster model so there is no plush seats or carpet on the floor in back which makes it a noisy passenger area.

But this is the fun of flying the world's largest flying bi-wing,

We attend many air-shows and fly-in breakfasts around New York and Pa.. Stop in and talk with us. See you around.

(Peter)

 

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