The first serial-production MC-21-310 in its fully import-substituted configuration has made its first flight from the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. In contrast to previous prototype aircraft that were built primarily for development and certification, this aircraft was assembled using serial production processes, rendering it a critical link between commercial manufacturing and flight testing.
The aircraft, bearing registration number 73362 and factory serial number MC.0014, remained airborne for 1 hour and 23 minutes, during which it successfully completed a series of handling and systems evaluations. The flight is a validation of Russia’s capacity to start industrial-scale production of its next-generation narrow-body passenger aircraft, which have been undergoing years of redesign as a result of Western sanctions.
Flight Validates Serial Production Aircraft
An experienced Yakovlev test crew, which included Hero of Russia and Honoured Test Pilot Roman Taskaev, Sergey Mikhailyuk, Andrey Voropaev, and flight test engineer Nikolai Fonurin, piloted the aircraft.
As per the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the aircraft maintained an indicated velocity of 600 km/h while climbing to an altitude of 6,000 meters. The crew assessed the stability and controllability of the aircraft in various flight configurations during the sortie, in addition to evaluating the functionality of newly installed Russian-built onboard systems.
Taskaev verified that all planned objectives had been effectively accomplished after the landing, asserting that the initial serial aircraft had performed admirably throughout the mission.
More Than a Prototype
Although the MC-21 has accumulated years of flight testing using prototype aircraft, the significance of aircraft 73362 is different.
This aircraft is the first production-standard MC-21-310 to be produced using the same industrial processes that are intended for future customer deliveries. Consequently, it functions as both an additional certification aircraft and evidence that the production line is operating as intended.
According to Russian aviation officials, the lessons acquired during the assembly and testing of this aircraft will facilitate the streamlined production of future aircraft and reduce delivery times upon the completion of certification.
Production Line Ready for Initial Batch
UAC has announced that the production chain is now prepared to manufacture the first batch of 18 serial MC-21-310 aircraft following the successful first flight.
According to Vadim Badekha, the Chief Executive of UAC, the Irkutsk Aviation Plant is now capable of fulfilling the production program that has been approved by the Russian government, in addition to preparing for future orders. The announcement suggests that the manufacturing infrastructure has evolved from prototype construction to reproducible serial production.
Reducing the Gap Between Certification and Deliveries
Chief Designer Vitaly Naryshkin underscored that the purpose of flying the first serial aircraft prior to certification completion is to shorten the time between regulatory approval and airline deliveries.
According to him, the final stages of aircraft assembly, factory acceptance procedures, and operations at the flight-test station have already been refined by engineers, and certification flights are ongoing in parallel. These preparations should enable Yakovlev to transition into customer deliveries at a significantly quicker pace than would be feasible without the updated type certificate.
The strategy is indicative of an effort to prevent a protracted production pause following certification, thereby allowing airlines to receive aircraft promptly following regulatory approval.
Factory Tests Manufacturing Processes
Irkutsk Aviation Plant Director Andrey Soynov explained that the project was not limited to constructing a single aircraft.
Rather, the organization implemented aircraft 73362 as a means of validating manufacturing workflows, quality assurance procedures, logistics, and support systems in actual operational environments.
Engineers have begun refining each stage of production to ensure smooth aircraft movement through the assembly line and meet future manufacturing targets, according to Soynov.
Aircraft Previously Presented to President Putin
The aircraft attracted national attention even before its maiden flight.
President Vladimir Putin visited the Irkutsk Aviation Plant on July 24, during which time aircraft 73362 was announced as the first serial import-substituted MC-21-310.
Alexander Guskov and Sergey Mikhailyuk, Yakovlev test pilots, provided the president with a briefing on the aircraft’s suitability for the maiden flight during the visit. The aircraft had undergone extensive ground testing. The MC-21 program’s political and industrial significance was emphasized during the visit, as Russia endeavors to further its independence from foreign aerospace suppliers.
Certification Campaign Continues
The MC-21 certification campaign is still ongoing, despite the successful first flight of the serial aircraft.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Gennady Abramenkov stated that approximately half of the certification flight-test program has now been completed. Delivery of serial aircraft to airline operators may commence upon completion of certification.
The MC-21 test fleet completed 136 flights between January and July 2026, accruing 509 hours and 52 minutes of flight time.
The certification effort has predominantly relied on prototype aircraft 73051, 73054, 73055, and 73057, with the majority of testing conducted by aircraft 73055 and 73057. These aircraft continue to perform the demanding certification missions while the newly completed serial aircraft validates manufacturing and production readiness.
Building Momentum Toward Airline Service
Aircraft 73362 is also the first tangible result of Russia’s effort to replace the hundreds of imported systems that originally equipped the MC-21 prior to the disruption of international supply chains by sanctions.
The MC-21-310 is the production standard for airline deliveries, as it is fully import-substituted and features Russian-built avionics, onboard systems, and the domestically developed PD-14 turbofan engines.
Yakovlev also showcased the aircraft’s operational capabilities by flying an MC-21-310 over 3,800 kilometers with a payload equivalent to 175 passengers earlier this year. This provided additional operational data for certification.
The program undergoes a substantial transformation with the maiden flight of the first serial aircraft, although certification work remains to be completed. The MC-21 was primarily defined by prototype development and engineering redesign for years. The successful flight of aircraft 73362 has now shifted the focus to industrial production, factory throughput, and eventual airline deliveries.
The aircraft that completed its first flight this week may serve as the model for the initial generation of domestically constructed MC-21-310 airliners that enter commercial service in Russia if certification proceeds according to schedule and production increases as anticipated.