Antonov 225

There was a moment not to forget when I visited my sister in Manchester, England in 2006. As we stood in the garden, which is under the approach to the airport, the skies darkened and the sense that something big was in the air grew with the passing seconds. Then there it was, right above us, the Antonov 225 the biggest aircraft in the world, surprisingly quite for a six engined Goliath.

My nephew had the chance to take a tour of the aircraft and the scale was huge. There was a fully laden transport truck in the cavernous hold and still plenty of space to move around. Well supported by twenty eight main wheels and four nose wheels this aircraft is in a league of its own.

Originally designed to support the Russian Space industry the cargo deck is capable of holding booster rockets and the top of the aircraft can also hold a space shuttle.

With a payload of 250 tons this aircraft is all business. The only aircraft of its type flying it was a privilege and a thrill to see it in person.