Industry MC-21-300 completes second stage of certification program

Flight test experts from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have completed the second validation stage of the Irkut MC-21-300. The stage included several aircraft behaviour tests in various aircraft modes at altitudes of up to 12km.

The tests included take-offs with a large and low take-off-weight during front and rear centring conditions. All integrated aircraft control systems have been verified by the EASA experts. This ensures a maximum of flight safety for airlines and passengers. Moreover, the testers rated the aircraft´s behaviour during an imitated engine failure, and during take-offs and landings with minimum handling speed.

Yuri Slyusar, President of UAC said: “The MC-21-300 is undergoing flight tests in order to obtain Russian and European type certificates. The completion of the second session of certification flights by EASA testers is another step in this direction. In parallel, at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant we are expanding the production of MC-21-300 aircraft intended for initial customer’s delivery”.

In January 2019, the first session of the certification flight took place in Russia. Last September, the EASA test crew performed a special course in theoretical and practical training, which allowed them to fly the aircraft now.

The MC-21-300 was developed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau and is being produced by parent company Irkut. With the MC-21, the manufacturer hopes to bring an aircraft to the market that is comparable to Airbus´ A320neo series and Boeing´s 737 MAX series.

Irkut celebrated the roll-out of its first aircraft in June 2016. Nine months later, in May 2017, the MC-21-300 took to the skies for the first time. Currently, three aircraft are being used for flight testing. The introduction of the aircraft is planned for 2021. Launch operator will be IrAero.