Russia's Aeroflot retires legendary Tu-154 'Careless'

I was about 3 or 4 rows from the back of the B-2 I flew on and when the engines started and it was one of the most amazing sounds I’ve ever heard. And when he throttled up for takeoff… Words can’t really describe it. It was just immense! Certainly not a flight I’ll forget in a hurry. 🙂

Paul

You are one up on me Paul as I only ever flew on the M version, still a lovely sound in the back row though. I’ll miss ’em:(

Yes, kinda sad. Wasn’t a bad plane from a passenger view actually. Flew it various times within Russia, and to Oslo where they still operated it till last year. Maybe could use a little rework in the cabin, never was able to fit standard sized carry-ons in those overhead bins. Otherwise not a bad plane. Well, times they are a-changin’ …

if you’ve never been close up to a Tu154B on start up then you just haven’t lived:)

I was about 3 or 4 rows from the back of the B-2 I flew on and when the engines started and it was one of the most amazing sounds I’ve ever heard. And when he throttled up for takeoff… Words can’t really describe it. It was just immense! Certainly not a flight I’ll forget in a hurry. 🙂

Paul

Sad news, but then I’m very biased:D Whatever your views on Soviet aircraft this is one of the most prolific designs from the Tupolev bureau, but not as beautiful as the Tu134 IMO. At STN we used to see the Balkan and Tarom examples regularly, more so the Balkan as Tarom would sometimes spoil the view and send a 1-11-500 instead. As a T/O I would always grab the Soviet aircraft turnrounds when I could and would walk out with the pushback team just to be close to the aircraft on start up, if you’ve never been close up to a Tu154B on start up then you just haven’t lived:) With its different engines the 154M was not the same. Once again a design with character falls in favour of the ‘twin pods on wing’ brigade…ah well, that progress.

Lucky for me they’re still operating here with the Polish Government.Although I was gutted when Aeroflot swapped them for the A319/320/321, occasionally they would send the “TUP” instead but that aint gonna happen no more 🙁
Just have to make the most of the Polish machines.

Let’s hope one or two are allocated to aerospace museums or aviation parks for posterity

I’m with you on that! One of the most amazing flights I’ve ever had was last year on an Orenair TU-154B-2. They really are incredible machines; like the LDV van of the air but with infinitely more character. They’re big, chunky aircraft and feel quite different to the more sterile and standard 737’s and A320’s. A week after the Orenair flight I was passing through Budapest Ferihegy and spent a little time at the memorial park there, and in the park is a 154B-2 you can stand right underneath and the interior, including the cockpit, is fully open and accessible. There was no-one else anywhere near the plane when I was on board so I sat in the Captain’s seat for maybe 10 minutes just simply taking in the atmosphere and trying to imagine the planes past. It really was almost magical and I had a sense of ‘feeling’ the machine and its history. Really quite a special moment I won’t forget for a while, but I’m a sucker for old aircraft anyway so I definitely hope some are preserved as a reminder of airliners that previously occupied our skies. I’ll always have a soft spot for this beautiful type of aircraft.

Paul

Let’s hope one or two are allocated to aerospace museums or aviation parks for posterity..unlike the once ubiquitous 727 which was unceremoniously phased out of service and turned into soda cans

Very sad. Probably the best looking airliner after the Concorde and the IL 62.

What a shame. But I don’t think they where allowed into Europe anymore anyway. At the pace Russian airlines are retiring their Russian made planes, it won’t be long before everything is western except for cargo planes.