Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 16, 2005 Since You Asked: Large-scale plane from Russia used by Erickson Speaking of the freight increases through the Medford airport, what is up with the Russian Volga Dnepr cargo aircraft that arrived recently from Denver? It’s very, very large. What was it doing in Medford? — Joe S., Modesto, Calif. It’s hard to miss the Antonov AN-124-100. The Russian-built cargo plane operated by the Volga Dnepr Group is among the world’s largest operational cargo aircraft. Its cousin, the AN- 225, is the world’s biggest. Airport Director Bern Case said the big plane, which ferries Central Point-based Erickson Air-Crane helicopters around the globe, was doing work for the Central Point company. Antonov planes visit the Rogue Valley about six times a year. You’ll likely see it again in late July. Advertisement The airplane set a world record for weight transport in 1993 when it hauled more than 132 tons of cargo. The AN-225 can carry nearly twice that. The Antonov 124 is 226 feet long and has a wingspan of 240 feet. Its maximum cruising speed is 537 mph. It’s not the largest plane ever built — the infamous Spruce Goose, the (Howard) Hughes H-4 Hercules, had a wingspan of 320 feet and was 219 feet long. The Antonov can be awfully clunky on the ground. The outer engines extend beyond our runway’s width. It’s not unusual for the cargo planes to damage runway signs and lights. "Whenever they take off, we send a crew out to check for damage and send them a bill — usually a couple hundred dollars," Case said. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to Since You Asked: Large-scale plane from Russia used by Erickson ">[email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s