Tupolev Tu-154

The Tu-154, announced Spring 1966, was intended to replace the Tu-104, IL-18 and An-10 on medium/long stage lengths of up to 6,000km. It is able to operate from airfields with a class B surface, including packed earth and gravel. Normal flight can be maintained after shutdown of any one engine. Single-engine flight is possible at a lower altitude.

The first of six prototype and preproduction models flew for the first time on 4 October 1968. The seventh Tu-154 was delivered to Aeroflot for initial route proving and crew training early 1971. Mail and cargo flights began in May. Initial passenger carrying services were flown for a few days early Summer 1971 between Moscow and Tbilisi. Regular services began 9 February 1972, over the 1,300km route between Moscow and Mineralnye Vody, in the North Caucasus. International services began with a proving flight between Moscow and Prague 1 August 1972.