As reported by PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC UAC), on November 1, 2023, the first flight of the first prototype of the Il-96-400M wide-body passenger aircraft (factory number 01001, registration number 96115), which is a deep modernization of the Il-96-300 series aircraft, took place in Voronezh. The aircraft was built in the branch of PJSC "Il" - VASO as part of PJSC "UAC" of Rostec State Corporation.
The first prototype of the wide-body passenger aircraft IL-96-400M (factory number 01001, registration number 96115) in the first flight. Voronezh, 01.11.2023 (c) Andrey Vostrikov / russianplanes.net ( link )
The UAC press release says that during the first flight, the stability, controllability of the aircraft, the operability of the systems, the power plant and the electronic means of approach were checked. The test program was carried out in normal mode, the stable operation of Russian systems and equipment was confirmed, most of which were manufactured by Rostec State Corporation enterprises.
The aircraft was piloted by the crew: aircraft commander, chief pilot of PJSC Il, Honored Test Pilot of the Russian Federation Sergey Sukhar, Honored Test Pilot of the Russian Federation Igor Zinov, Honored Test Navigator of the Russian Federation Sergey Goremykin, flight engineer of the 1st class Pavel Litvyakov, on-board electrician-tester Dmitry Semenov. The flight took place at altitudes up to 2000 meters, speeds up to 390 km / h and lasted 26 minutes.
"The first and successful flight of the upgraded IL-96-400M is a demonstration of the highest level of competence of domestic design bureaus and aircraft factories. The aircraft not only maintained the high performance of the IL-96-300, but also received new operational and transport capabilities. Due to the new state-of-the-art flight navigation and radio communication equipment on Russian components, flight safety and reliability are improved, and solutions that ensure operational efficiency are used in the aerodynamic layout, structures and systems of the aircraft. In the future, the new vessel will allow us to develop and improve our competencies in the creation of wide-body long-haul aircraft," said Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
The aircraft is an upgraded version of the IL-96-300, has a fuselage lengthened by 9.35 meters, more powerful PS-90A1 engines and accommodates up to 370 passengers.
"The IL-96-400M program was launched by the decision of the President of Russia. The aircraft will provide air cargo transportation, as well as transport accessibility of various regions of the country. The maximum flight range, in particular, in the passenger two-class layout will be 8,100 km. The first flight of the IL-96-400M demonstrates that the Russian industry has all the necessary technologies for the construction of wide-body long-haul airliners. I would like to emphasize that the creation of such aircraft is a unique competence that will ensure the technological sovereignty of the country," said Sergey Chemezov, Director General of Rostec State Corporation.
IL-96-400M received new operational and transport capabilities due to the modernization of flight navigation and radio communication equipment, which meets the current and prospective requirements of Russian and international aviation regulators. In terms of reliability and flight safety, the IL-96-400M fully corresponds to its famous predecessors - the Il-86 and Il-96 aircraft, as well as the best world models due to the redundancy of the aircraft systems and its aerodynamic layout.
"The new upgraded version of the IL-96 family aircraft will complement the UAC civil aircraft line in the segment of wide-body passenger liners and will allow us to offer the market, along with the MS-21-310, SJ-100 and Tu-214, aircraft of various dimensions and ranges that are able to provide a route network throughout the country and replace foreign analogues", - Yuri Slyusar, General Director of PJSC UAC, said following the results of the first flight.
The IL-96-400M salon can have one-, two- and three-class layouts, equipped with a modern infotainment system providing access to the Internet, television and satellite communications, modern buffet and kitchen equipment.
The use of an upgraded navigation system will increase flight safety and simplify the approach process for crews. The development meets the latest requirements for the navigation equipment of wide-body airliners flying in the European Common Aviation Zone, as well as over undirected terrain - oceans, deserts, extended forests. Such routes are the most difficult to navigate, since pilots cannot determine the location of the aircraft visually and navigate in space using instruments. The new navigation system was created from Russian components, taking into account the current international requirements for navigation systems.
The flight list for the first flight of the IL-96-400M was signed on the hood of the black Volga by the Managing Director of PJSC Il Daniil Brenerman and the head of the flight test center of PJSC Il Konstantin Letov. The tradition was introduced more than 50 years ago by Heinrich Novozhilov, at that time the general designer of the Ilyushin Design Bureau, putting his signature on the flight sheet of the Il-76 transport aircraft on the hood of a company car. That take-off was successful and such a signing has become a good Ilyushin tradition.
"The flight test program of the new IL-96-400M has started today. For us, this is a confirmation of the unique competencies of PJSC Il in the creation of aircraft of this type, as well as ensuring technological sovereignty. Only three aircraft manufacturing centers in the world retain the right to create wide-body liners. The IL-96-400M program is the development of a reliable and proven IL-96 platform through the use of modern technologies, the installation of upgraded on-board equipment and systems. There is a large amount of testing and certification of the upgraded aircraft ahead," Daniil Brenerman said following the results of the first flight.
From the bmpd side, we point out that the construction of the first prototype of the upgraded Il-86-400M aircraft has been carried out at VASO since 2016, and initially its first flight was scheduled for 2021. This is the 32nd IL-96 family aircraft built since 1988.
The first prototype of the wide-body passenger aircraft IL-96-400M (factory number 01001, registration number 96115) in the first flight. Voronezh, 01.11.2023 (c) UAC
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