Russia to produce unique flying weather lab

The new meteorological system of the plane will make flights comfortable and safe

The aircraft-building company Sokol, based in the Russian city of Nizhni Novgorod, plans to launch the production of the new weather plane M101T Expedition, outfitted with the improved meteorological system, the press release of the company said. Sokol is a division of the Kaskol corporation.

The new weather plane will be capable of giving precise weather forecasts on flight routes, making it possible to avoid unfavorable weather conditions for planes and improve the flight comfort and safety.

The aircraft-building company has recently completed the first stage of aerodynamic tests for the new modification of the М101Т plane. The work of the meteorological radar system will be tested in April.

The М101Т weather plane is the first high-speed plane equipped with turboprop engine and pressurized saloon. The plane can be based on ground airdromes. The turbo-prop airplane is capable of transporting up to seven passengers at the speed of 420 kilometers per hour.

The new weather plane is the first Russian airline the development, certification and production of which is being funded with private capital, without the use of the state budget.

The Kaskol group, founded in 1988, works in the aerospace sector of the Russian industry. The group unites the companies, which deal with the production of aircraft equipment and the development of perspective aviation technologies.