EX-1146K ¦ ZRH 26.06.2005
Ilyushin IL-14T (c/n 7343408)
Runway 34 AG
Zürich-Kloten (ZRH/LSZH)
26 June 2005
The one and only Ilyushin 14 I have ever seen flying was this hybrid example, temporarily registered as EX-1146K and wearing a faded Russia State Air Transport Company livery. It was seen arriving on runway 28 on a VFR ferry flight from Moscow-Zhukovsky and Warsaw, and a clearly visible number 2 engine loosing oil!
The IL-14 is still at Zürich today, as the centrepiece of the Runway 34 Restaurant, right outside the perimeter fence near the runway 34 threshold. After the aircraft landed it was moved to its new location, and the restaurant building erected around it. Today it is the smokers lounge of the restaurant.
The special dining concept was invoked by Reto Seipel in the early 2000s, a former Swissair and Swiss pilot, who planned to use a propliner as the base of a restaurant. As the acquisition of a DC-3 or Convairliner proved to be prohibitively expensive, the search was turned to Russia to find a suitable aircraft, eventually resulting in the IL-14.
Built in 1957 as 01146 / "21 red" for the Soviet Air Force, it remained in service until 1992, last flying with the Russia State Air Transport Company, the government flying wing. Sold to a private owner, it ended up parked at Zhukovsky airport, where it was discovered and acquired by Runway 34 in 2002, thoroughly overhauled and eventually ferried to Zurich, with a temporary permit under Kyrgyz registration EX-1146K.
20 years later the IL-14 still serves the guests of the restaurant, now restored to its original serial 01146, and repainted in a spotless Rossiya livery.
EX-1146K ¦ ZRH 26.06.2005
Ilyushin IL-14T (c/n 7343408)
Runway 34 AG
Zürich-Kloten (ZRH/LSZH)
26 June 2005
The one and only Ilyushin 14 I have ever seen flying was this hybrid example, temporarily registered as EX-1146K and wearing a faded Russia State Air Transport Company livery. It was seen arriving on runway 28 on a VFR ferry flight from Moscow-Zhukovsky and Warsaw, and a clearly visible number 2 engine loosing oil!
The IL-14 is still at Zürich today, as the centrepiece of the Runway 34 Restaurant, right outside the perimeter fence near the runway 34 threshold. After the aircraft landed it was moved to its new location, and the restaurant building erected around it. Today it is the smokers lounge of the restaurant.
The special dining concept was invoked by Reto Seipel in the early 2000s, a former Swissair and Swiss pilot, who planned to use a propliner as the base of a restaurant. As the acquisition of a DC-3 or Convairliner proved to be prohibitively expensive, the search was turned to Russia to find a suitable aircraft, eventually resulting in the IL-14.
Built in 1957 as 01146 / "21 red" for the Soviet Air Force, it remained in service until 1992, last flying with the Russia State Air Transport Company, the government flying wing. Sold to a private owner, it ended up parked at Zhukovsky airport, where it was discovered and acquired by Runway 34 in 2002, thoroughly overhauled and eventually ferried to Zurich, with a temporary permit under Kyrgyz registration EX-1146K.
20 years later the IL-14 still serves the guests of the restaurant, now restored to its original serial 01146, and repainted in a spotless Rossiya livery.