Daniel’s Travel Vlog
FLIGHT #6/11 MOTOR SICH AN-140 UR-14005 MINSK (MSQ) – ZAPORIZHIA (OZH), OCTOBER 9, 2016
This video has been remastered and significantly improved in Sight & Sound and replaces the initial version, published in 2016.
Being tempted by the idea to join the final scheduled flight of Belavia’s legendary TU-154M on a rotation from Minsk to St. Petersburg and back, it just made sense to change my usual access to Belarus from a direct flight from Frankfurt to a Motor Sich Airlines flight from Zaporizhia, Ukraine.
Especially, because a YAK-40 and an AN-140 have been planned for scenic flights out of Minsk, the possibility was likely to get a two hour YAK-40 and a two hour AN-140 ride in and out of Minsk for 150 EUR.
Once in Zaporizhia, I could not resist the idea to explore once again the network of this very unusual and unique fine little airline, operating solely aircraft of Soviet and Ukrainian production, equipped with engines developed and manufactured by the Motor Sich Engine Plant.
So, it was off again to the Ukraine, in 2016. Things in the Ukraine have changed considerably from 2014.
To the worse.
The enthusiasm from the days of the “Maidan” has given way to lethargic and pessimistic mood.
Lots of red tape, increased suspicion against foreigners from whatever origin has sparked an increased awareness of security personnel on the ramp and elsewhere against those species with a camera in their hand.
Spirits and minds are back to old Soviet reflections.
It is hard to imagine this great country getting back on its feet soon.
Eleven (!) flights in total on board Soviet and Ukrainian metal were about to follow.
After arrival from the TU-154M St. Petersburg rotation, weather could not be worse in Minsk, it was still raining cats and dogs throughout the entire day, a filmer’s nightmare…
This flight on board AN-140 UR-14005 was flight #6, returning from Minsk back to Zaporizhia. Alina – my good friend from flight #1 and #2 – has experienced two scenic flights with 20 avgeeks, one “crazier” than the other, everybody wants to take pictures inflight and outside, everybody wants to see the cockpit.
On this return flight Nataliya and Alina obviously considered me to be a harmless old fool, nothing more nothing less.
How attitudes can change…
This was my first flight onboard AN-140.
A pleasant to fly aircraft from the viewpoint of a passenger, especially the front area with the emergency windows provide comfort and lots and lots of legroom.
However it is AN-24 and YAK-40 for me !
History of Antonov AN-140 UR-14005
Airframe 36525305021 was manufactured 2003 and delivered May 23, 2003 to Motor Sich Airlines, registered UR-14005.
UR-14005 is active on domestic and international routes and has the license, alongside with AN-74 UR-74026, to operate to Western Europe.
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Flight details
Flight : M9 318
Date : Sunday, October 9, 2016
Aircraft : AN-140
Registration : UR-14005
Built : 2003
From : Minsk (MSQ)
To : Zaporizhia (OZH)
Take off : 14.55 h (1155 UTC)
Touch down : 17.10 h (1410 UTC)
Flying time : 2 hours 15 minutes
Flying distance : 935 km
Altitude : 19.000 / 19.025 ft / 5.800 m
Speed : 236 / 240 / 170 / 260 knots / 445 km/h
Flight Captain : Sobolyev
2nd Pilot : Bykodorov
Navigator : Bondarenko, S.A.
Cabin Crew : Trubchanenko, Nataliya
Cabin Crew : Romanenko, Alina