WORLD'S LARGEST SINGLE-ENGINE BIPLANE! Antonov An-2 at Springbank Airport

The Antonov An-2 is a Soviet-era utility biplane that was produced from the late 1940s all the way until 2001. Thanks to its rugged design, short takeoff and landing capability, and highly adaptable airframe, over 18,000 of these planes were built. That said, they're not a super common sight in North America.
For the past couple of years though, two of these planes have been based out of Springbank Airport just west of Calgary. This is where the story gets interesting!
Both of these planes are owned by a company called "2Solitude" (www.2solitude.com), which retrofits An-2s and turns them into, basically, flying RVs!
One of them is privately operated and has a full interior with a kitchen and everything, sitting on the world's largest composite floats! The other one is a test bed for a turboprop conversion, swapping out the original radial engine for a Honeywell TPE331-12 turbine. This one too, will get its own set of floats eventually.
The final result is, to paraphrase the company's website, "a bush plane that is your camp".
On Saturday, the turbine one went up for a couple of circuits, and I took the opportunity to finally catch this rare Soviet biplane in action. A big thank you to the 2Solitude team for letting me take a look around the planes, too! Enjoy the video!
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FLIGHT INFORMATION
Operator: 2Solitude
Aircraft: Antonov An-2R (AN2)
Livery: "Russian Bare"
Engines: 1x Honeywell TPE331-12
Registration: N73AN
Route: Springbank (YBW) - Springbank (YBW)
Callsign: Antonov November 73 Alpha November
Runway used: 35
Date filmed: July 2023
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Outro song - "Take Flight" by Nyhtian: • Nyhtian - Take Flight ...
© Alex Praglowski Aviation 2023
This video is the property of Alex Praglowski Aviation and may not be used for any purpose without prior permission. Contact me at the email in the "About" section of my channel for usage.

[@gmitchellfamily]

Old-Soviet-Biplane-into-RV conversion is my new life goal.

[@WonderfulAircraft]

Had no idea anyone was doing turbine conversions on these things. It's awesome to see, might help keep these relics alive for a while longer :)

[@dschoene57]

The Russians and Ukranians have been doing Turbo conversions of the AN-2 since 2000. They replaced the original Shvetsov ASh radial engines with Glushenkov TVD turboprops.

[@chinabluewho]

@@dschoene57 I wonder why no one is converting the AN-2 to use a Wright R-1820-84 engine you could run the engine at 66% power and still make the same as the old Shvetsov ASh-62 radial engine. The Wright 1820 engine would get 1,525 hp (1,137 kW) without burning through a gallon of oil a minute.

[@karlavelo2482]

That pilot knows what he's doing, super smooth take offs and landings !

[@FunkMasterJunk]

Awesome Video! Funny, I was going to comment on the whole flying RV thing. I used to fly around Greenland quite a bit. While I was in Nuuk, I started talking with a Greenland Air pilot. He was telling me he and his wife owned a AN-2, which was like a camper inside. I couldnt believe it. It was on wheel skis and would fly and land on the polar Ice cap with his family and camp! What an adventure! Especially for anyone who has seen the beauty of Greenland. I'd love to do the same. But maybe with a tent and a Murphy Moose.

[@joeschenk8400]

The An-2 turbo looks terrific!

[@MickB235]

Looks like some Garmin goodies are adorning the cockpit as well

[@cdsmrailaviation1099]

That thing is an absolute beast, love it!

[@poletme]

Awesome video, thanks! In Russia, the An-2 is still used for passenger flights in the outback. I wonder how many An-2 with a floats is in the world today? I've never seen one like this before, I've only seen it in old photos.

[@nybotor1]

Great to see this airframe still flying! I was lucky enough to get some photos of it at the BC Aviation Museum a few years back, before it was flown to its current location.

[@diegosorio]

So cool! I'm currently training to become an ATC and Springbank would be my top pick airport for my placement.

[@kaptenalgysson8540]

Nice to see a nice done conversion to turbo engine, have flown several time with AN-2 in Sweden with normal engine...

[@scpatl4now]

That must be one LOUD engine!

[@melvyncox3361]

Nice to see one of these old birds updated.Hopefull she'll by flying for many more years yet👍!

[@PLANEMANIA747]

It is big! Beautiful capturing ❤

[@vancemarin8022]

There is one based at the Oshawa airport.

[@edwardmyers1746]

Got quite the prop on her. Looks a little goofy, but probably does the trick.

[@Adriatic1290]

I was lucky to see the red one a few years back in Victoria before it was converted to a turboprop. Nice to see she's still alive and kicking

[@ianstewartaviation2634]

Some interesting work going on there with theses aircraft thanks for sharing 👍👏🇬🇧

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Great video...👍

[@richardp1522]

Alex thanks who knew a couple of Antonov aircraft so close by. It's in amazing condition and the sound of that new turboprop is irresistible..

[@chuckcawthon3370]

In total it's probably a better airplane with turboprop but to me it has lost it's charm without the radial engine, just another big airplane. Excellent video quality that makes the airplane come alive with great airmanship especially those beautiful 3 point landings. Well Done by all.

[@drdoolittle5724]

Just right for Mikey McBrian local deliveries?

[@JelmersAviation]

Awesome video!

[@user-yd7ck8ql4f]

Ich fand immer, der Klang des alten Sternmotors gehört einfach zur AN 2. Diese hat aber 200l verbleites Superbenzin pro Stunde benötigt bei 1000 PS. Die Technik entwickelt sich weiter, schön dass die Maschine nicht ausstirbt.

[@flyjarrett]

We have one AN-2 at KENW in Kenosha, WI. It looks pretty sad though…

[@pontiacperformance1993]

Thankyou for making this video I go to school at satc and see these planes pretty much everyday always been wondering why there here!

[@mikejackman4416]

Great find ,,,interesting they are American registered keep up the great videos

[@Perich29]

a turboprop biplane very impressive.

[@importsstillsuck]

42°35'25"N 87°55'35"W That's an AN2 that hasn't moved since I first saw it going to basketball practice with I was 7 years old. I'm 38 now.

[@GLICKMIRE]

Great video. Was hoping you would get a ride.

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Thanks!

[@jayc4562]

The turbo was developed in Russia using the honeywell engine. They are flying several in Russia. At least until they run out of spare engines.

[@happycanayjian1582]

Great STOL capabilities. Mustn’t use much more than 600 feet to takeoff. Cool to watch when it’s being done by a relatively large plane.

[@supertyfon1736]

Canada has a big Ukranian population, it's nice to see a few of these big guys in our part of the world.

[@airline_aviation12]

I had no idea those types of aircrafts existed 😳

[@pierrebuffiere5923]

I would like to see Pilatus or DHC build replicas.

[@tomsamuelson8512]

Cool plane, hope they give her a nice looking paint job......

[@yanikh8626]

wonderfull great job guys

[@user-yh6wr1sl4k]

Хорош чертяка с любым движком.

[@danko6582]

It looks wrong, but flies right.

[@inspiredartphotos]

Why the TPE 331? I much prefer PT6 power plants. The PT6 has inertial flow separation for FOD protection. It seems a much better choice for off-field work. I am biased with 6000 hours PT6 time vs 800 hours in Garrets. DHC-6 100s, 200s and 300s. PT6-20 and 27. TPE time was in Metroliners. (226 and 227). The TPE noise makes airport enemies.

[@thebushbunker]

Man that plane ✈️ lifts off so easy I bet it make a great stop bush plane deliver fuel to hard to get places

[@khoughton411]

How do they compensate for all that torque? Seems like it would tend to turn its-self screw-shaped.....

[@nsk932]

The AN-2 has a more recent modification with a more modern engine - TVS 2MS

[@nicolasroirand8011]

Bonjour , énorme merci .

[@_-nk7jp]

Cool! I would love to see it at CYEG

[@cottonhiker]

Do you know how sometimes there’s those channels that you really hope get their “deservings” because they’re super good?! “It’s kind of like that“ 🙏👌🏻

[@VidiGoR1]

Soviet designed, Polish built, American modified 😆

[@lenmetallica]

Canadian Modified, they're just American registered.

[@marcusdamberger]

@@lenmetallica Yeah, I noticed that. Why is that?

[@ServiEntrega24H.Gerona]

Any video on how they did the upgrade? Brand name Of the engine installed?

[@coreydarr8464]

I have seen one in S.E. Oklahoma. I would love to have one.😊

[@jeffpiatt3879]

I'm guessing the nose was lengthed to achieve balance with the lighter turboprop?

[@susanableton8647]

With the nose being so pointed, the propeller look too small to lift the plane.

[@marklittle8805]

There was one (and maybe still is although i havent seen it lately) in Oshawa (CYOO) with piston power....a wacky but tough old bird

[@therailfanningchannelandmo4436]

Hello

[@normanfawley7379]

mmmmm ? been in one of these, fantastic ! Not sure about this version with a long beak,as me Dad used to say,if it ain't broke, don't fix it ! Kills the lines,and I like round engine's anyway.

[@rorytippett8345]

That was cool

[@ColonelKlank]

It's got enough flap for 3 airplanes!

[@AviationAndMore08]

I love these type of planes that are big propeller planes like the Antonov AN-2 and and the Dash 8-400. I think the Antonov AN-2 was in the show stranger things.

[@eltejano4439]

Awesome. Now, it needs a paint job.

[@MoskusMoskiferus1611]

There is also a modernized variant by SibNIA

[@dphillips4351]

N November tail numbers is American registered.

[@UraFlight]

What kind of engine they fitted ? Also it’s very interesting to know how much aircraft speed has increased

[@PRH123]

I think it’s a Honeywell

[@dwaynedakin7489]

Its a Honeywell TPE 331-12UAN

[@spudkiss1984]

Hmm shouldn't you be landing on the main 2 front then bring the tail down. 🤔 that alot of stress on the tail to land on all 3 at once

[@mikeblackford994]

Often lusted over this old gal!

[@christopherrogers86]

Alex looks great for a Soviet aircraft from times gone by and turbine power to for a great flight. Plane looks fabulous on flight path steady flier with take off and landing to call its own. Fine Russian metal for years to come.

[@jeno826]

Without the radial engine, loses it’s image !!!!

[@flynlr]

when is it gonna enter the stol drags?

[@ernesthill4017]

Somehow, there's something disturbing about a turboprop biplane. It's like a crime against nature 😮

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Antonov Ukraine needs to open a branch plant in Canada…

[@toptens631]

First

[@nickcentrone1679]

Like how they are wearing helmets, guess that will save them when they crash lol.

[@scotty6346]

Why invest a load of money doing a turboprop conversion on an ancient Ukrainian biplane which nobody want's?

[@scottrichmond3400]

Thank you for the video! I didn't know about this aircraft before this video.. ebay are the costs for a one of these (round about range)?? I'm a huge fan of the Pilatus PC-12 NGX & also the Piaggio Avanti Evo, have you ever flown any of those 2 planes? & what are your thoughts about them? & thoughts about either of those 2 compared to this... Thank you

[@ivanflores-ramirez8105]

China is still producing these planes