Hook system secures record load for flight

A 98-TON hydro turbine motor wheel has been shipped from Russia to Krygyzstan using a new hook system to secure it in place. Designed by Volga-Dnepr airlines’ technical experts the system secures heavy, single pieces of air cargo for transportation.

The 6.25 m diameter wheel was transported on 4 December from Saint Petersburg in Russia to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, onboard one of Volga-Dnepr’s An-124-100 freighters. The turbine was destined for the Kambartinskaya GES-2 hydro-electric power station, currently under construction.

Vladimir Petrishev, technical director of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, said the transportation was another record for the An-124-100 with such a heavy shipment being transported on a hook for the first time ever.

“The construction designed by the Volga-Dnepr engineers is universal and may be applied for the transportation of other cargo types,” said Vicktor Tolmachev, technical director of Volga-Dnepr Group.

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