The new Yushchenko aircraft has three cabins. The first of them, intended for the country's Main Passenger and decorated with mahogany and gold, even has its own artistically created... starry sky. \nThe Kharkiv State Aviation Production Enterprise is preparing to release four aircraft of the "VIP" variant, two of which -- An-74 TK 300 -- are intended for Ukrainian politicians (the other two machines -- An-74 T 200S -- are being manufactured to order for Libya as VIP variants of hospital aircraft). \n \nExpress asked the PR director of the Kharkiv aviation plant, Serhiy Araslanov, about the conditions in which our Very Important Persons (that is how the abbreviation VIP is translated from English) fly to meetings with the people. \n \n-- Which politicians specifically want to fly in personal aircraft of your production? \n \n-- At present we have delivered into operation the first An-74TK-300 VIP aircraft. It is operated by the "Ukraina" airline, which transports the leaders of our state -- both within Ukraine and beyond its borders. This aircraft is not the property of "Ukraina" but was transferred to it on lease by the "Ukrtransleasing" company. \n \nAnother such aircraft is currently in the assembly shop. We will hand it over \ninto operation at the end of October or the beginning of November. \n \n-- Do politicians like the conditions you create for them in flight? \n \n-- Yes. The VIP aircraft currently operated by the "Ukraina" company has already been seen and highly praised by many politicians. Last week, returning from the CIS leaders' summit in Kazan, the president of Moldova was on board and highly praised it. In June, at the economic forum in Poland, Viktor Yushchenko personally showed the aircraft to President Kwasniewski. \n \nWe have already demonstrated it to the leaders of a number of Asian countries. Everyone rated it as meeting the requirements for serving the highest state officials. So, I think there will be plenty of orders for it. \n\n-- How does an aircraft for "very important persons" differ from an ordinary passenger one? \n\n-- VIP aircraft are specially equipped aircraft for passengers from the highest echelons of state leadership and the heads of large\ncorporations and companies. They fly at the individual request of the customer, who either owns the machine or hires it -- like a taxi, for a specific flight. \n\nFor such aircraft, aviation plants develop many layout options in order to satisfy the whims of any owner. \n\nIn particular, the An-74TK-300VIP aircraft, which the "Ukraina" airline took for transporting the highest leadership of our state, has three cabins. The first cabin is intended for the main passenger. It is equipped with armchairs, tables, audio and video equipment, satellite communications and everything needed for work and rest on a short flight. \n\n The An-74 is not an intercontinental aircraft, so it has neither sofas nor showers (although for those who wish we also have a "sofa" layout). \n\nThe second cabin is intended for important accompanying persons. It is also equipped with audio and video equipment and comfortable armchairs. \n\nWell, the third cabin is already equipped with simple seats from an ordinary passenger An-74 -- this is the cabin for the support staff. \n\n-- Please tell us in more detail what it all looks like inside? \n\n-- The front partition of the aircraft's VIP cabin is finished with mahogany veneer and made in the shape of a wave. On the left side of the front partition of the VIP cabin\na 18-inch monitor is built in, along with audio and video equipment with a container for storing videocassettes and discs. On the right, a glass cascade for wine glasses and shot glasses is set into the wall. \n\nThanks to a unique technology, specialists of the "InterAMI-Interior" firm (which handles the interiors of our aircraft) added refined naturalness to all the curves of surfaces covered with facing materials (high-quality leather, suede, precious wood). Decorative elements of\ngold enhance the overall sophistication. \n\nThe height of the tables in the VIP cabin is adjustable, the armchairs are made using the latest technologies and have a modern design. Folding footrests and convenient control panels ensure maximum\ncomfort during work or rest. \n\nWith one press of a button, a passenger can easily change the position of the seat: turn around, move sideways, recline the backrest. Each seat is equipped with cup holders and ashtrays, and control panels for lighting, video and audio systems. The placement of speakers and subwoofers ensures exceptionally clear and surround sound. \n\nDesigners made optimal use of the cabin space: capacious cabinets, a bar, drawers and containers for storing various accessories are built into the interior and covered with countertops in such a way that they do not take up extra space. \n\nThe lighting of the An-74TK-300 aircraft's VIP cabin has become a genuine design find. Daylight lamps are located\nbetween two levels of the ceiling, the upper of which forms a closed vault with ceiling panels, and the lower is made with a soft effect and illuminated by a large number of small lamps that look like a starry sky. \n\nPassengers are offered a large choice of lighting options. They can\nchoose the one that best suits their needs and mood. \n\n-- How much does this aircraft cost? \n\n-- I cannot tell you that, because it is not disclosed in any country. I can only assure you that the cost of this aircraft is much lower than Western aircraft of a similar class. That is why we believe that for politicians it should be a matter of honor to fly specifically on Ukrainian aircraft. \n