# Russia invades Ukraine -- The regional situation **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** ukraine-invasion\ **Created:** [December 30, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349 "2023-12-30T18:43:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 242
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/242 "2024-04-03T16:14:13Z")
From the breaking news thread: > [@Russia invades Ukraine {2022-02-24} (Part 2)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7090): > > Forbes is saying it was a modified “Cessna-style light plane”: > > [Ukraine Packed Plane With TNT And Flew It Into A Russian Drone Factory](https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/04/02/ukraine-packed-a-cessna-style-plane-with-explosives-added-remote-controls-and-kamikazed-it-into-a-russian-drone-factory-600-miles-away/?sh=76dca9621dc0) This is one of my pet peeves. Once upon a time, ‘little airplanes’ were called ‘Piper Cubs’ by the non-flying public. The Piper J-3 Cub was indeed ubiquitous; but there were Aeroncas and Cessnas and any number of manufacturers that may or may not have a passing resemblance to the Cub. Somewhere along the line, ‘every’ ‘little airplane’ came to be known as a ‘Cessna’ (probably because of the relative rarity of Cubs in later years). At least the article says ‘Cessna-style’, but it still makes my teeth itch. > A classic Cessna 172 can haul a half-ton load as far as 700 miles. It’s true that a Skyhawk can fly almost 700 miles (at 55% power at 12,000 feet). A Skyhawk has a gross weight of about 2,450 pounds and an empty weight of about 1,700 pounds. It carries 56 gallons of fuel, at six pounds per gallon: 336 pounds. That leaves a ‘payload’ of 414 pounds. I assume the 56 gallon fuel capacity is with the optional long-range tanks. The Skyhawks I’ve flown had a capacity of 42 gallons. Smaller tanks reduce the range, but increase the weight it can carry. But that’s still only a quarter of a ton. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349)._