Creators of Moldova’s first plane begin construction of the second aircraft
The first airplane entirely constructed in the Republic of Moldova was recently launched at the Vadul lui Vodă airfield. This two-seater sports aircraft can reach speeds exceeding 320 km/h and has a cost of over 200,000 euros. In an interview with Radio Moldova, one of the project's creators stated that his team is currently working on building a second airplane of the same class.
Pilots and engineers Oleg Burlacu and Sergiu Crețu are currently working on the second aircraft and plan to develop a formation of experimental aircraft.
“We are thinking of integrating artificial intelligence, making an electronic co-pilot that will help the pilot fly. We have a lot of ideas on how to upgrade this aircraft technologically”, Oleg Burlacu said on Radio Moldova.
The idea of building the first aircraft came to the two pilots four years ago, when the two decided to build a modern aircraft according to international standards in the field.
“All that was flying here were older aircraft, with weaker flight parameters. But we had a dream – to have an aircraft that could do aerobatics, equipped to the latest standard and fast. The only solution was to build an aircraft ourselves”, Oleg Burlacu told us.
The first flight was full of emotions, the engineer admits. After ground tests, the aircraft took off without any problems, and the first flight lasted approximately 40 minutes. Later, the team carried out longer flights to verify its performance.
The aircraft was built in a workshop in Chisinau, and the investment value exceeds 200,000 euros. According to Burlacu, the aircraft can be used for private flights, leisure flights, light competitions, but also for trips outside the country.
Regarding the future of Moldovan aviation, he is optimistic and believes that the sector has development potential.
“I hope that in the future we will also integrate into Europe and be able to travel directly from small airfields in the country to any other airfield in the region. That is the beauty of small aviation – the freedom to take off almost from the yard and land near the mountains or at sea,” says the pilot.
The aircraft can fly at an altitude of 3–4 kilometers, has a range of up to 1,400 kilometers and a cruising speed of over 320 km/h.
