TYPE: Light utility transport.

PROGRAMME: Design to FAR Pt 23 and JAR 23 standards, started July 1992; construction of first of two prototypes (RA-44482) began January 1993; first flight, as SM-92 Finist, made 28 December 1993; second Finist (RA-44484) completed round-the-world flight through Europe, Atlantic, Canada, Alaska and Siberia in August 1995 covering 16,200 n miles (30,000 km; 18,640 miles) in 160 flying hours; components production at SmAZ, Smolensk. Sixth aircraft (RA-44493) completed as SM-92P armed version. AP-23 certification received by late 1998 and Hungarian FAR Pt 23 certification in August 2000.
By 2003, RA-44484 was operating in Australia, equipped with wingtip pods.
In 1991, Moravan (Zlin) of Czech Republic bought plans of SM-92 for US$500,000 and launched local production as Z 400 Rhino. Russian manufacture appears to have ceased. According to Russian folklore, the Finist is a falcon with major powers.

CURRENT VERSIONS: SM-92: As described.
SM-92P: Border guard version. Prototype, RA-44493, displayed at Moscow Air Show '95; second aircraft (RA-44494) complete by 1997, but converted to SM-92 Finist. No further manufacture known.
Z 400 Rhino: Produced by Zlin in Czech Republic.

CUSTOMERS: Fifteenth Finist delivered June 2001 to customer in Ukraine. Production of 16 for Russian Federation border guard (which eventually requires 300) was disrupted by problems at Smolensk aircraft factory; alternative manufacturer was sought, but nothing further reported. Regional government of Yakutia ordered 14 in October 1997, but none reported in service by 2003. First delivery (aircraft No. 3, RA-44485) to Mike Crymble in UK, 21 January 1995; RA-44487 to Sport-Para Centrum, Antwerp, Belgium, 6 July 1995.

COSTS: US$240,000 (2001).

DESIGN FEATURES: Rugged light transport; in approximate class of DHC-2 Beaver, but less powerful and lower in cost than most used Beavers. Sweptback fin and rudder; small dorsal fin; tailplane mounted on fin, with single bracing strut each side. Wide CG range.
Basic aircraft accommodates up to seven persons with baggage. Convertible under field conditions to transport 600 kg (1,323 lb) freight; two stretcher patients and attendant with medical equipment; to drop six trainee parachutists or four firefighters with parachutes and firefighting equipment. Can carry hopper for 600 kg (1,323 lb) agricultural chemicals in cabin, with spraybar, or cameras for forest surveillance, patrolling electric power lines, gas pipeline inspection and similar duties. Wingtip fuel pods optional; tanks have aerofoil-size central cutout and are fitted slightly inboard of wingtip.
Special P-301 M-15 wing section by Technoavia and CAHI (TsAGI). No sweep; thickness/chord ratio 15 per cent; dihedral 2^o; incidence 3^o at root, 1^o at tip.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Ailerons and elevators pushrod-actuated; rudder cable-actuated. Electrically operated, three-position (0, 20, 40^o), two-section single-slotted flaps on each wing; horn-balanced rudder and elevators, with fluted skin; trim tab on starboard elevator; ground-adjustable tab on rudder; three-section tab along entire trailing-edge of each aileron, centre section being adjustable on ground.

STRUCTURE: All-aluminium, stressed-skin semi-monocoque construction. Simple, reliable structure, with no expensive or exotic materials; repair possible under field conditions. Airframe life 10,000 hours or 20,000 landings, with 'on condition' extension.

LANDING GEAR: Non-retractable tailwheel type with medium-pressure mainwheel tyres, size 600x180 on KT-317 wheels. Cantilever faired tubular steel main legs; steerable, semi-castoring tailwheel with 255x110 tyre on tubular steel strut. Tyre pressure 2.45 bar (35.5 lb/sq in) on mainwheels; 2.95 bar (43 lb/sq in) on tailwheel. Wheel/skis and amphibious or plain floats optional. Pedal-operated disc brakes, with parking lock. Minimum turning radins 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in).

POWER PLANT: One VOKBM M-14Kh air-cooled nine-cylinder radial engine, rated at 265 kW (355 hp) for take-off and 213 kW (286 hp) maximum continuous, driving a Muhlbauer MTV-3-B-C/L250-21 three-blade variable-pitch propeller. Engine TBO 1,000 hours; total life 3,000 hours. Two fuel tanks in wing leading-edge, total capacity 392 litres (104 US gallons; 86.2 Imp gallons); usable capacity 380 litres (100.4 US gallons; 83.5 Imp gallons). Wingtip tanks optional, capacity 200 litres (52.8 US gallons; 44 Imp gallons) each. Oil capacity 30 litres (7.9 US gallons; 6.6 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot and six passengers, in pairs; quickly removable seats with folding armrests and back; dual controls standard for pilot training; adjustable rudder pedals. Small baggage container (or medical equipment stowage for ambulance version) on port side at rear of cabin. Forward-hinged, jettisonable door each side of flight deck; large rearward-sliding passenger/freight door on port side of cabin, openable in flight. Blister windows to flight deck and cabin. Steps on mainwheel legs and cable handholds for access to flight deck; removable tubular steel ladder beneath cabin door.
Convertible in field to transport 600 kg (1,323 lb) of freight; two stretcher patients and two attendants; six trainee parachutists or four smoke-jumpers with parachutes and firefighting equipment. Provision for carrying hopper for 600 kg (1,323 lb) of agricultural chemicals in cabin, or cameras for forest surveillance, patrolling electric power lines, gas pipeline inspection and similar duties. Clearance adequate for underbelly pannier. Cabin heated and ventilated.

SYSTEMS: Pneumatic system for engine starting, pressure 49 bar (710 lb/sq in). Electrical system provides 36/115 V AC power at 400 Hz and 28.5 V DC power, with 20NKBN-25 battery.

AVIONICS: Comms: Two Bendix/King KY 96A VHF transceivers, KA 134 audio control, KR 87A ADF and KT 76A transponder; Garmin GPS 150.