The Il-114-300, a Russian regional turboprop aircraft, has achieved a significant milestone in its extensive development program. The Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsiya, has received the complete set of documentation, and all certification flight tests necessary for the issuance of the initial Type Certificate have been completed. Now that the aircraft has entered the regulatory review phase, it is awaiting approval to enter commercial service.
The status of the program was verified at the international airshow Wings India 2026. A representative of the State Corporation Rostec confirmed that the certification flights were conducted in full compliance with the approved program and that the necessary materials have been transferred to the aviation authorities. The Type Certificate is anticipated to be issued in the near future, which will facilitate the first customer deliveries this year, according to Rostec.
The Il-114-300 will not be ending its testing at this point; rather, it is entering a new phase. The aircraft will endure extensive flight testing to expand its operational approvals and confirm performance in a wide range of climatic, geographic, and infrastructural conditions, despite the fact that the initial Type Certificate will authorize baseline commercial operation.
Completion of Core Certification Testing
The Il-114-300 certification program comprised the entire array of tests necessary to demonstrate compliance to Russian civil aviation regulations. Verification of flight characteristics, handling qualities, system reliability, safety margins, avionics performance, and engine operation across the defined flight envelope was among the procedures.
the aircraft’s anti-icing protection and the refinement of passenger cabin systems were given particular attention during the final phases of certification. These systems are particularly essential for a regional turboprop that is intended to operate year-round in regions with limited ground support infrastructure, frequent frost conditions, and severe weather.
The developers have verified that the aircraft satisfies the baseline airworthiness standards required for the issuance of an initial Type Certificate by concluding this phase. The final administrative step prior to the aircraft’s formal clearance for entry into service is the regulatory review currently occurring at Rosaviatsiya.
Awaiting the initial type certificate
The Il-114-300 program is currently focused on obtaining the initial Type Certificate. This document will legally certify the aircraft’s design and permit its commercial operation within the approved parameters. It is also a requirement for the commencement of regular passenger operations and for serial deliveries to clients.
Industry representatives emphasize that the issuance of the certificate is contingent upon the completion of regulatory review procedures, rather than any outstanding technical issues with the aircraft. No additional certification flights are scheduled as part of the initial approval procedure, as all necessary documentation has been submitted.
The Il-114-300 will officially transition from a demonstration aircraft to a certified production aircraft upon issuance of the Type Certificate. This measure is regarded as indispensable for the progress of discussions with foreign partners and export customers, as well as for domestic operations.
Continued Flight Testing Beyond Certification
Despite the fact that the initial Type Certificate will be a significant milestone, the flight test program for the Il-114-300 will continue long after this. The aircraft is scheduled to conduct a wide variety of additional flights in 2026 with the objective of adding to the data in the certificate and expanding its operational approvals.
The purpose of these tests is to verify the aircraft’s capabilities in operating conditions and environments that exceed the baseline certification scope. In a country with climatic extremes such as Russia, such labor is standard practice for aircraft that are designed for diverse and demanding regions.
Close collaboration with aviation authorities will be necessary to ensure that each new operating condition is formally validated and incorporated into the aircraft’s approved documentation during the expanded test campaign.
Testing in High Latitudes and Extreme Cold
Operations in extreme temperatures will be the main focus of one of the initial post-certification testing phases. The Il-114-300 is expected to be deployed to Yakutia upon its return from India, where the winter temperatures offer an optimal environment for testing its cold-weather capabilities.
The engine start reliability, system operation, structural behavior, and overall aircraft performance will be evaluated during these tests at extremely low ambient temperatures. The intended test program also encompasses high-latitude operations, such as navigation and communication performance in polar regions.
This testing is especially crucial for regional aircraft that are designed to operate on remote northern routes, where the weather can be both unpredictable and extreme.
Seasonal Testing and Natural Icing
Arkhangelsk will host an additional critical phase of the expanded flight test program during the spring season. The Il-114-300 will be subjected to testing under natural icing conditions, which will enable engineers and regulators to assess the efficacy of the aircraft’s ice protection systems in actual atmospheric conditions.
Natural icing experiments are regarded as one of the most challenging components of aircraft certification and operational expansion. They are indispensable for verifying the safety of operations during extended exposure to frosting clouds, as they furnish data that is not entirely reproducible in artificial environments.
The aircraft’s approved operating envelope will be further expanded and future operators’ confidence will be bolstered by the successful completion of these tests.
Validation of High-Temperature and High-Altitude Conditions
The Il-114-300 will be subjected to testing to verify its efficacy at high ambient temperatures and at high-altitude airfields, in addition to cold and icing conditions. These trials are essential for the validation of engine power margins, launch performance, and system cooling in conditions of reduced air density.
Potential export markets, such as those with high terrain and hot climates, are notably affected by these approvals. The aircraft’s capacity to operate reliably in high-temperature environments has already been demonstrated through its recent participation in Wings India 2026. However, additional formal validation will be necessary for certification purposes.
Operations from Unpaved Runways
Confirmation of the Il-114-300’s capability to operate from unpaved and gravel runways is one of the most eagerly anticipated components of the expanded certification program. This capability is a critical requirement for numerous regional routes in Russia, where the availability of paved airport infrastructure is either limited or nonexistent.
These tests were initially scheduled for a later date in the program timeline, approximately 2028. Nevertheless, program management has disclosed that initiatives are underway to expedite the completion of this phase, which could potentially expedite the aircraft’s introduction into some of its most essential target markets.
By demonstrating dependable operations from unprepared airfields, the Il-114-300’s status as a replacement for obsolete Soviet-era regional aircraft would be significantly enhanced.
Aircraft Technical Foundation
The Il-114-300 is a new regional turboprop aircraft that is capable of accommodating 64 to 68 passengers. With a payload capacity of up to 6,500 kilograms, it is well-suited for short- and medium-range regional routes, and its maximum launch weight is approximately 23.5 tonnes.
The aircraft is equipped with large-diameter composite propellers and TV7-117ST-01 turboprop engines, which were certified in 2022. This propulsion system is designed to operate in severe environmental conditions while also ensuring fuel efficiency and reliability.
The aircraft’s capacity to operate safely in adverse weather and reduced visibility is further bolstered by the avionics suite, which facilitates Category II ICAO landings. This further solidifies the aircraft’s status as an all-weather regional transport.
Initial Deliveries and Market Prospects
The initial Type Certificate will enable the delivery of the first production aircraft to clients, despite the fact that further testing will be conducted. Negotiations with airlines throughout Russia are currently underway, and the initial delivery is anticipated to occur this year, as indicated by industry statements.
Domestic operators are being prioritized, notably in the Far East and other remote regions where the Il-114-300’s performance characteristics are particularly valuable. Simultaneously, there is an increase in international interest, as evidenced by the preliminary agreement that was signed in India for future deliveries.
The aircraft’s debut at Wings India 2026 was its first public appearance outside of Russia, and it served as a reminder of its export potential upon the completion of all certification milestones.
In conclusion,
All certification flight tests necessary for the issuance of the initial Type Certificate have been completed by the Il-114-300, which has now entered a critical phase of its development. The aircraft is on the brink of commercial service, as Rosaviatsiya is currently reviewing its documentation.
Concurrently, the program is not yet fully developed. The Il-114-300 will undergo an exhaustive flight test campaign following certification, with the objective of extending its operational approvals to include unpaved runways, high altitudes, high temperatures, natural icing, and extreme cold.
This phased approach is indicative of the aircraft’s intended function as a regional transport that is adaptable to all climates. The Il-114-300 is poised to become a fundamental component of regional aviation in Russia and select international markets as certification advances and operational capabilities are enhanced.