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In June we visited Russia and the first weekend we wend to Kostroma, a city North East form Moscow.
From St. Pietersburg there is a direct flight to Kostroma two times a week. This flight is operated by one of the 2 An-26's of Kostroma Air Enterprise and operated on fridays and sundays. Our Russian friend helpt us getting tickets for this flight. Kostroma Air Enterprise only uses paper tickets, booking online for the flights is not possible. So on firday May 31 we took a early morning flight from Moscow VKO to St. Pietersburg with a AN148 from Rossya. The flight to Kostroma Would depart around 19:30 so we first meet up with our friend in the city.
RA-26081, Our ride after arriving in Kostroma.
RA-07317 An-2 Kostroma Air Enterprise
View from the Hotel
The next day we had time to see the city, here the fire tower from Kostroma.
Even at our day off there where planes to spot.
It turned out to be Children's day, so a lot of actives in the city and parks.
Kostroma Air Enterprise has a fleet of 3 An-26's (according to our Russian friend are 2 in use for passengers)
1 An-2 and 2 Mil Mi-2's. The original plan was to take a ride on the AN-2. In summer on Sunday it operates a scheduled service to two remote towns what gives a total of 4 flights, but due to the bad condition of the runway in one of the towns the flights did not operated yet. But luckily the Mil 2 also operates a scheduled service on Sunday. this is a route along 4 small towns what gives a total of 8 flights. so plans where changed, no An-2 but Mi-2 it would be!
Our ride just befor departure.
Sister ship parked next to us.
Old church en route to the first town.
View from my seat
After 40 Min flight the first town came in sight.
Descending for landing
Terminal and landing spot.
Passengers waiting to board.
climbing out
Volga river
Just in frond of my seat. I think this are the Black box and flight data recorder.
On the return flight it was time for a fuel stop.
Crew is preparing for the fuelling.
Fuelled up, time to Go!
Wing view while crossing the Volga River again.
Enjoying the View.
Coming in to land.
Another 2 min stop.
Turning off the GPS, Kostroma is in sight again.
Kostroma Airport.
My Window for the last few hours. Inc the safety card taped to the wall.
Runway in sight.
Final
Taxing back.
The one of the other An-26's
Our plane for the flight back to St. Pietersburg.
Climbing out of Kostroma
Inflight
Maria takes care of us.
Wing view of the beautiful An-26.
I hope you enjoyed the report, it was a awesome experience and i hope you got a little of the feeling.
If people like it I might upload some videos from the flights.
Regards,
Thimo
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