New paint job to save $100,000 per AN-124

Volga-Dnepr Airlines, operator of the super-large cargo freighters, said it’s trying out a new coating on one its planes.    Volga-Dnepr Airlines, operator of the super-large AN-124-100 cargo freighters, said it’s trying out a new paint on one of its planes that promises to save more than $100,000 in fuel a year.
   “The facial layer of the glaze is considered to have greater smoothness than, for example, polyurethane enamel, and protects the base layer of painting from the influence of ultra-violet rays,” said Vladimir Drebnev, Volga-Dnepr’s senior engineer for continuing airworthiness, in a statement. “Due to this smoother effect, the air drag during a flight decreases and this can be measured in terms of fuel savings. As a result of using the coating, we expect to cut the aircraft’s fuel expenses by up to 1.5 percent or more.”
   The newly painted aircraft (RA82079) will be monitored by Volga-Dnepr’s technical experts to gauge the level of fuel savings. “If the technology demonstrates the results the airline is hoping for, it will ultimately be applied to the rest of Volga-Dnepr’s An-124-100 fleet,” the Russian carrier said.
   The paint job was completed by Spectr-Avia in Russia.