Construction of the second MC-21-300 flight test aircraft has been completed at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of Irkut Corporation, part of UAC. The aircraft is expected to embark on a flight test program in May, one year after the initial aircraft commenced its maiden flight on 28 May, 2017, according to Irkut sources.
The second MC-21-300 prototype was transferred from the final assembly shop to the flight test department on March 25, the findings from the first test aircraft having been taken into account in the production of the latest version.
“The completion of the second aircraft assembly is an important stage in the implementation of the MC-21 program. Sending the new machines for flight testing this year will achieve key milestones in the project: completion of the certification of the MC-21 in a timely manner; the launch of mass production; and presentation of the first airliners to the customer,” Denis Manturov the Russian Minister of Industry and Trade has advised.
In total, four MC-21-300 aircraft will be involved in flight tests. At present, the fuselage of the third MC-21-300 is being assembled at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, and the components and units of the fourth are being assembled. The production of aircraft parts and components intended for endurance testing is underway.
The initial MC-21-300 has its flight tests carried out at the Gromov Flight Research Institute airfield in Zhukovsky, near Moscow. Static testing takes place at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI).
Russia’s new generation MC-21 narrow-body was officially rolled out in June 2016, six years after the initial program was launched. Irkut is aiming to commence serial production of the MC-21, which will be initially powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1400G engines, in 2019.
Russian Aviation Insider
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