Myasishchev M-201 « Sokol » (Falcon) light multipurpose aircraft

The Myasishchev M-201 was a light multipurpose twin developed on from the single-engined M-101T Gzhel. The use of existing structures, propulsion and technology and equipment would have cut costs in production. It was to be produced at Sokol factory in Nizhny-Novgorod.

Powered by two Czech built engines it was of a similar configuration to the Piper Seneca. A distinctive feature being winglets and a large door on the port side to allow freight to be loaded. Equipped with VFR and IFR equipment.

Roles:
Passenger (10 persons)
Business (4-6 persons)
Cargo-Passenger (2-3 passengers + cargo)
Cargo
Ambulance

Myasishchev M-201 Details

Wing Span: 16.907 m
Length: 12.28 m
Height: 4.305 m
Crew: 1-2
Passengers: 10
Maximum Take-off Weight: 4,700 kg
Commercial Load Weight: 900 kg
Maximum Fuel Weight: 1,600 kg
Engine: 2 x Motorlet M-601F (760 hp each) Turboprop
Cruising Height: 7,600 m
Maximum Cruising Speed: 550 km/h
Range With Maximum Commercial Load: 2,000 km
Range With Maximum Fuel Reserve of 45 minutes: 3,600 km
Take-off Run: 400 m
Landing Run: 300 m
Track: 4.4 m

Source: Myasishchev M-201 Press Release 1995 (Ref: 201.PM5)

Under the name M-201 there were several projects.

A drawing of the M-201 from the same press release...

Myasishchev M-201 « Sokol » (Falcon) light multipurpose aircraft

As defined in the technical proposals of the Myasishchev design bureau, the M-201 aircraft is a twin-engined version of the M-101T Gzhel (Type certificate ST216-M-101T) with the same Czech Walter M-601F turboprop. In addition to the power plant, the two machines share common design and technology solutions, systems, equipment and components. That could significantly reduce the cost of building and certification of the M-201.

The project provides for multiple use of the aircraft, in particular, as a passenger, a business class passenger, cargo, and sanitary. The relatively small increase in the dimension of the aircraft (especially the volume of its interior) in conjunction with the pressurized compartment and power units and the position of the propellers ahead of the cockpit, all work to greatly improve the comfort, not only of the passengers but also of the pilots. The M-201 is designed to carry up to 10 passengers (or 4-6 in business class configuration) with a crew of 1 or 2.

The main advantage of the M-201 over both the other existing types and the proposed models is its pressurized cabin. Like its predecessor, it is, in fact, a multi-purpose aircraft, capable of carrying passengers (including those in business class), including the convertible version, and can also be used in the training, ambulance and patrol variants.

As follows from the conclusion of the TsAGI's technical proposal, the Gzhel-based Myasishchev airplane with two 760 hp M-601F turboprop engines (weighing 5,500 kg at takeoff) would have the following basic performance characteristics:

• Utility version (following AP-23 Regulations the number of passengers is up to 9, and the take-off weight does not exceed 5,700 kg).
• Training option (1 instructor, 1 navigator, 5 students), or administrative (8 passengers VIP).

TsAGI therefore considers it appropriate to continue to work on creating the two-engine M-201 Sokol aircraft. The M-201 can not only be used for international flights, replacing outdated An-2, An-28 and L-410 types, but also to solve problems related to the dropping of parachutists (10 people), aerial photography, and environmental monitoring. But to realize all the necessary machinery, first of all, the customers in the face of government agencies and airlines. The most common template for a twin-engine light aircraft overseas is for 6 to 9 passengers. (...) Such aircraft are also used as trainers.

Thus, based on the Gzhel aircraft, a twin-engine plane can be created in the short term, with flight characteristics comparable with those of aircraft used in the West for similar purpose, such as the King Air, but more suitable for use in Russia. Note that the M-201 is different from the King Air because of the possibility to operate from unpaved runways, convertible saloon, and its Walter M-601 engine, which has a record of over 20 years of successful operation in the Russian Federation and is much cheaper than Canada's PT6A, despite being slightly inferior in fuel efficiency.

Design work to create aircraft M-201 Sokol is not supported by financing from the state budget and the resources of the company proceed from the active participation of the future production factory, the Nizhny Novgorod-based "Sokol" aircraft plant — hence the name of the plant being used in the designation of the aircraft. According to specialists the type could be "created in metal" by 2001.


Main source: AviaPanorama, №4 • 2010

Piper Seneca??? I'd say Piper Cheyenne!

More pictures of the M-201GP (for "gruzovom" and "passazhirskom" = cargo and passengers):

• A better quality version of the painting
• Three-view arrangement
• Inboard profile (cargo version)
• Inboard profile (passenger version)

famvburg said:

Piper Seneca??? I'd say Piper Cheyenne!

Click to expand...

12 passenger seats put it more in the Piper Cheyenne or Beechcraft King Air size range.