Lead Creator Of An-225 Mriya

ANN has learned Petro Balabuyev -- lead designer of the largest aircraft in the world, the An-225 Mriya -- died Thursday at the age of 75.

Balabuyev headed the Kiev-based Antonov aviation design bureau for almost 20 years. He was the top designer for several different aircraft, including the An-124-100, according to the Associate Press.

The designer also participated in designing such aircraft as the AN-22 Antei, AN-72, AN-74, AN-32, AN-28, AN-124 Ruslan in addition to the Mriya, which is Ukrainian for 'dream'. His most recent developments include the AN-140, a passenger aircraft, and the multi-purpose AN-3.

Balabuyev was also the current Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Consortium Medium Transport Plane, according to the Ukrainian National Radio.

The six-engine An-225's 75-minute first flight was in 1988 and the behemoth entered service in 1989. In 1994, the only An-225 ever built was put into storage following the cancellation of the Buran space program, its engines used for An-124s.

In 2001 the aircraft was once again made airworthy for a second maiden voyage on May 7. The aircraft is capable of carrying 275 tons of cargo for a distance of 2,790 miles.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko expressed his condolences to Balabuyev's widow in a letter stating, "The death of an outstanding designer and scientist is irremediable loss for everybody, the family, friends, colleagues, the whole Ukrainian people and the world aviation community."

FMI: www.sergib.agava.ru/russia/antonov/index_e.htm