Russia’s Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft has successfully concluded a critical phase of its certification campaign in Uzbekistan. The aircraft’s powerplant was subjected to extreme heat during the testing. The aircraft successfully completed a series of “hot-weather” tests in Bukhara, showcasing the performance of its domestic TV7-117ST-01 engines in conditions that closely resemble real-world operation in hot climates.
The Russian version of the Il-114-300 was granted its Russian type certificate in June 2026. The modernized version of the aircraft, which is equipped with AV112-114 propellers and TV7-117ST-01 engines, was formally certified by Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency on June 5.
Bukhara Becomes a Test Site for Extreme Heat
Engineers chose Bukhara for the trials to evaluate the aircraft in a climate that was both authentically hot and under controlled test conditions. In the course of the program, the outside temperature reached 41.7°C, which presented an opportunity to assess the aircraft and powerplant under sizable thermal stress.
The significance of these evaluations is especially critical for aircraft engines. Engine performance, cooling, system operation, and starting characteristics are all impacted by the decrease in air density that happens as temperatures increase. Therefore, it is crucial to demonstrate the stable operation of an aircraft’s engine in extreme heat to determine its suitability for operation in various climatic regions.
The Il-114-300 arrived in Bukhara after a nonstop flight from Zhukovsky, covering a distance of approximately 2,730 kilometers in 6 hours and 15 minutes. Initially, the Uzbek test program was intended to consist of over 30 flights, with a particular emphasis on the powerplant’s stability in high-temperature environments.
Real-World Testing of TV7-117ST-01
The Il-114-300’s two TV7-117ST-01 turboprop engines were the main focus of the tests. The powerplant is supported by specialists from UEC-Klimov, which manufactures the engines in St. Petersburg, throughout the test program.
The automatic control system, gas-dynamic stability, the lubrication system, and the engine’s reliability to start and operate in high-temperature conditions were assessed by engineers in Bukhara. The engines were able to withstand the specified loads, as reported by the United Engine Corporation of Russia. No malfunctions or significant deviations were observed during the program.
The hot-weather campaign involved the execution of 22 flights. Simultaneously, engineers acquired further data regarding the aircraft’s structure and powerplant performance in high-temperature environments, which served as further confirmation that the Il-114-300 could operate in a broader spectrum of climatic conditions.
The Engine Has Already Completed Its Own Certification
One of the most critical elements of the Russian Il-114-300 program is the TV7-117ST-01. The engine, which was developed by UEC-Klimov, was granted its Russian type certificate in January 2023. It is equipped with the new AV112-114 propeller developed by Aerosila and operates in conjunction with the upgraded BARK-65SM digital control system.
In take off mode, the engine is capable of generating a maximum of 3,100 horsepower. The powerplant has been expressly designed for the regional aircraft, which is primarily intended for domestic and regional routes, in conjunction with the AV112-114 propeller.
On the other hand, the Il-114-300 testing campaign is significantly more extensive than the Bukhara program. By early 2026, the TV7-117ST-01 engines installed on test aircraft had accumulated nearly 3,000 hours of operation across more than 400 flights, as per UEC. The program also cleared the final operational restrictions in 2025, which included restrictions related to the operation of propulsion reversers and specific challenging flight conditions.
Hot-Weather Testing Brings the Aircraft Closer to Series Production
The Il-114-300 program is transitioning from development and certification to series production, and the Bukhara trials’ completion is of particular importance. UEC declared in January 2026 that it was prepared to start series production of the TV7-117ST-01 for regional aircraft and was in the process of establishing the requisite engine maintenance and support infrastructure in Russia.
The Bukhara trials offer developers additional operational data and illustrate the Russian powerplant’s performance in a hot climate. This is of particular significance to potential operators, as the Il-114-300 is designed to operate in both the northern and temperate regions of Russia and on routes that experience significantly higher temperatures.
The aircraft is designed to replace aging regional aircraft and play a significant role in the revitalization of regional aviation in Russia. Its program prioritizes domestic systems and components, such as its engines, avionics, and other significant equipment.
Il-114-300 Moves Beyond the Certification Phase
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency issued the type certificate for the Il-114-300 in June 2026, thereby concluding a significant phase of the aircraft’s certification campaign. The focus is now progressively shifting from the verification of the aircraft’s fundamental characteristics to the preparation of both the aircraft and its engine for regular operations and series production.
The Bukhara trials are of considerable importance to the Russian aviation industry, in addition to the Il-114-300. They exhibit the capacity of a domestically produced powerplant to operate consistently in the face of challenging climatic conditions.
The emphasis is now increasingly directed toward the subsequent challenge: the conversion of a certified aircraft into a dependable production aircraft that can operate in Russia and potentially in other markets with challenging climatic conditions.