Ilyushin IL-62 Classic

The Ilyushin IL-62 Classic is the original production variant of the IL-62 family, the first Soviet long-range jetliner. First flown on January 3, 1963, under the command of Captain Vladimir K. Kokkinaki, it was the world's largest jet airliner at the time with capacity for 168-186 passengers. The IL-62 Classic features four Kuznetsov NK-8-4 turbofan engines (103 kN thrust each) mounted in pairs on the rear fuselage, a distinctive T-tail configuration, and a five-person cockpit crew. Entering service with Aeroflot on September 15, 1967, with the inaugural Moscow-Montreal route, the IL-62 Classic enabled the Soviet Union to operate intercontinental flights such as Moscow to New York nonstop. With a maximum takeoff weight of 162,200 kg, range of 9,630 km (5,200 nm), and service ceiling of 11,890m (39,000 ft), the aircraft featured a typical two-class configuration with 12 business class and 138 coach seats (150 total) or high-density single-class seating for 186 passengers. The IL-62 Classic served as the backbone of Soviet long-haul aviation until superseded by the improved IL-62M variant in the early 1970s.