Progress Rocket and Space Center refused to Putin’s approved project of the first Russian lighting aircraft “Rye”. It is reported by RBC.
This model announced in 2007 was designed to replace the “Cover” An-2. “Rysska” received support from the Ministry of Industry and Mintrans. However, in 2015, the project “Rysac” was frozen on the recommendation of the Federal Space Agency. During this time, three flight prototypes were built.
In the end, the general director of the “Progress” Dmitry Baranov said, the project was decided not to defrost, and the company will focus on the production of the Soyuz-5 carrier launch. “At some point it became clear that we have no squares to accommodate such a kind of technology,” he explained.
In 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin sat in the chair of the pilot “Rye” and supported the project to create a new aircraft. “We must do. In order for your own,” he summarized, speaking about the development of small and regional aviation in the country.
“Rysska”, having two M601F engines of the Czech company Walter, made the first flight in December 2010. It was reported that he will replace outdated An-2 (“cornman”). The production of the aircraft was planned in three versions: agricultural, sanitary and educational. The approximate cost of the aircraft was originally a half million dollars.