Russia's Irkut MC-21 goes airborne

Russia’s new MC-21 airliner made its madien flight in Irkutsk according to Vice Premier Dmitry Rogozin report on May 28. It is the first Russian-made narrowbody commercial passenger aircraft designed in the post-Soviet era.

The program was launched in 2007 and is headed by Irkut Corp., a subsidiary of Russia’s government-owned aircraft holding -- United Aircraft Corp.

The MC-21-300 prototype was rolled out almost a year ago, in early June 2016. The MC-21-300 variant has maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 79,250 kg (174,713 lb.) and can carry up to 211 passengers for a distance of up to 6,000 km (3,240 nm). The shorter, 72,560 kg MTOW, MC-21-200 with a 165-passenger capacity is in design.

The MC-21 took off powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1400G-JM engines. The alternative Russian powerplant – Aviadvigatel PD-14 just completed initial trials on the Il-76LL flying lab that enables it to start the certification tests. Russian engine certification is to be obtained in 2018.

MC-21 certification in Russia is now planned for 2018 with the European Aviation Safety Agency approval to be obtained a year later.

The MC-21 backlog stands at 175 firm orders, mostly from government-owned Russian leasing companies, and more than 100 commitments. Aeroflot, Russia’s largest carrier, is expected to become the launch operator with first airframes to be delivered in 2019.