Russia’s MC-21 programme is moving another step forward, with the second serial-production MC-21-310, carrying factory number MS.0015, nearing its first flight. The aircraft’s systems are undergoing final checks by flight-test specialists at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant before to the beginning of flight testing. Ground preparations are continuing.
The development takes place in conjunction with the reported return of the first serial MC-21 for passenger compartment outfitting, which represents another milestone in the transition from aircraft production and testing to operational readiness. As Russia plans to establish a domestic production base for its next-generation passenger jet, these developments collectively suggest that work on multiple aircraft is advancing in parallel.
Second Serial MC-21 Undergoes Preflight Checks
At the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, which is a subsidiary of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the second serial MC-21-310 is presently undergoing preflight preparations at the airfield thereof. The aircraft’s systems are being inspected, and their functionality is being verified by the plant’s flight-test division prior to its inaugural flight.
The aircraft manufacturer’s press service has released a statement in which first-class test pilot Yevgeny Averyanov explains the ongoing procedures. The plant’s flight-test specialists are supervising the work.
In the present phase, the aircraft’s flight controls are examined, the engines are activated, and the thrust reversers are tested. These procedures are essential for verifying that the aircraft’s primary systems are functioning properly while it is stationary.
Visual inspections are not the sole focus of the assessments. Dedicated equipment is used by engineers and specialists within the cockpit to monitor onboard systems, measure operating parameters, and record technical data. The team is able to evaluate the aircraft’s condition and identify any issues before the start of flight testing using the data obtained during these procedures.
Averyanov underscored the significance of the ground-testing phase, emphasizing that aviation does not permit the neglect of even the most apparently inconsequential details. Prior to its initial flight, each aircraft must undergo thorough ground testing.
MS.0015 Approaches Its Maiden Flight
Averyanov reports that the preflight tests on MS.0015 are proceeding as expected, with no reported deviations from the established technical requirements. He determined that the aircraft was nearly prepared for its inaugural flight.
However, completion of the current checks does not immediately mean that the aircraft will take to the skies. The maiden flight cannot be conducted until several additional ground procedures are completed.
Once the system checks are completed, the aircraft will undergo runway taxi tests, including high-speed ground runs where required. These activities enable the flight-test team to evaluate the aircraft’s performance during ground operations prior to conducting airborne testing.
Only after these preparations have been completed will the aircraft move into its flight-test programme.
First Serial Aircraft Returns for Cabin Installation
The progress of the second aircraft comes shortly after another important development involving the first serial MC-21-310.
After completing a succession of certification-related activities and checks at Zhukovsky near Moscow, the first serial aircraft, MS.0014, returned to the Irkutsk Aviation Plant on 3 November. In August, the aircraft was transferred to Zhukovsky for a comprehensive assessment of its performance and systems.
Its return signifies the commencement of a new phase of the project. The passenger cabin will be installed by Irkutsk specialists, and any necessary modifications may be implemented in accordance with the results of the certification testing.
A combined crew, commanded by senior test pilot Sergey Mikhailyuk, executed the aircraft’s return flight. Test pilots and flight engineers from the Irkutsk Aviation Plant and the engineering center comprised the personnel.
The aircraft reached an altitude of 12,100 meters and spent nearly six hours in the air during its August flight to Zhukovsky. The flight was a component of the program to assess the aircraft and its domestically manufactured systems.
The installation of the passenger cabin is an important step towards completing the aircraft’s intended passenger configuration. It also illustrates that the program is advancing beyond the initial stages of aircraft assembly and flight testing.
Two Serial Aircraft Progressing Through Different Stages
The developments involving MS.0014 and MS.0015 highlight the parallel work taking place at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.
The first aircraft has successfully completed a critical phase of testing in Zhukovsky and has returned to the manufacturing facility for cabin installation and any requisite modifications. After completing a significant amount of ground preparation, the second aircraft is on the brink of its inaugural flight.
Both aircraft belong to the fully import-substituted MC-21-310 programme. The second aircraft, MS.0015, was transferred from the final assembly shop to the flight-test division on 31 August. It is intended for the Aeroflot Group.
This parallel progression is important because the MC-21 programme requires more than the successful completion of individual aircraft. To establish a sustainable production and delivery process, it is necessary for production, ground testing, flight testing, certification activities, and cabin installation to progress in tandem.
Also, the testing procedure is particularly significant due to the aircraft’s domestic configuration. The program entails the integration and validation of Russian-developed systems and equipment that are intended to replace components that were previously sourced from foreign suppliers.
Next Steps for the MC-21 Programme
The immediate priority for MS.0015 is the completion of the remaining ground procedures, followed by runway runs and its maiden flight. The readiness to proceed to the next phase of factory flight testing will be determined by the results.
For MS.0014, attention will shift towards passenger cabin installation and any additional work arising from the certification programme.
Therefore, the MC-21 program is inching closer to its next phase of production and certification as the two aircraft approach distinct yet complementary milestones.