Almost six hours in the air, thousands of kilometers away and not a single landing. The first serial MC-21-310 successfully completed the task, which was closely monitored by the entire aviation industry. The following decisions may determine the fate of the program for years to come.
The first serial import-substituted MC-21-310 aircraft successfully completed a non-stop flight from Irkutsk to Zhukovsky. This event was an important milestone for the Russian aviation industry, as it is no longer about an experimental aircraft, but about a production airliner, which should bring the start of mass deliveries of new domestic aircraft closer. The flight confirmed the aircraft's readiness for the next stage of testing.
The liner covered the route across the country without a single landing. Almost six hours in the air became a serious test for all aircraft systems. The flight results showed that the key components and equipment were operating normally.
The flight from Irkutsk to Zhukovsky took 5 hours and 50 minutes. During this time, the aircraft climbed to an altitude of 12,100 meters and reached speeds of up to 850 kilometers per hour. The flight took place according to a pre-approved program and ended with a successful landing.
The crew included test pilots, Heroes of Russia Roman Taskaev and Oleg Kononenko, as well as a leading flight test engineer, on-board operator Alexander Popov. They were the ones who had to evaluate the operation of all the main aircraft systems during the first long-range route.
After landing, crew commander Roman Taskaev reported that the MS-21-310 had confidently completed its task. According to him, all aircraft systems were functioning normally throughout the entire flight.
Why this flight is of special importance
The first flight of this aircraft took place on August 3 in Irkutsk. However, the current flight has become one of the key stages of the test program. He demonstrated the capabilities of an already mass-produced machine assembled at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.
Prior to that, the main focus was on prototypes. Now the program is moving to a new level, as the first production aircraft is participating in the tests, which will become a benchmark for further production of this type of aircraft.
This is an important signal for the Russian aircraft industry that the project is moving towards mass production. Each successfully completed stage brings the moment of the start of full-fledged operation of new Russian airliners by airlines closer.
Betting on Russian technology
The MS-21-310 is equipped with Russian PD-14 engines. It is this power plant that is considered one of the main achievements of the modern domestic aviation industry and a key element of the import substitution program.
The project provides for the maximum use of Russian components, systems and equipment. In recent years, developers have had to replace a large number of foreign solutions with domestic counterparts, which has significantly increased the program's independence from external suppliers.
The successful flight confirmed the operability of the complex of Russian technologies in conditions of a long route. This is especially important against the background of the ongoing work to expand the production of new aircraft.
What awaits the MS-21-310 in Zhukovsky
After arriving in Zhukovsky, the aircraft was handed over to the specialists of the Yakovlev Flight Test and Development Complex. Here, the liner will have to undergo a detailed inspection of all systems and assemblies before the next tests.
Engineers will analyze the operation of the equipment, collect telemetry data and evaluate the behavior of the aircraft in various operating modes. The results obtained will form the basis for further development of the certification program.
Successful completion of the tests will allow us to bring closer the start of regular operation of the MS-21-310. This particular aircraft is considered one of the key projects of the Russian civil aircraft industry in the coming years.
Read about the fact that the MC-21 has successfully passed the taxiing tests here .
