The first prototype of new generation Russian airliner, Irkut MC-21 has completed maiden flight from Irkutsk Aviation Plant in Siberia...
The MC-21 is the first narrow-body aircraft development since collapse of Soviet Union and is intended to replace the ageing fleet of Tupolev Tu-154, Tu-134 and Tu-204 passenger jets operated in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The flight piloted by crew commander Oleg Kononenko and copilot Roman Taskayev lasted 30 minutes and flew at altitudes of 1000 meters, at a speed of 300 km/hour.
Eventhough it was a maiden flight, the flight was of short duration and carried out in low altitude, compared to flight tests of its Western rivals. The extreme precaution could be due to the reinforced wing on the first prototype, resulted after the aircraft wing box developed cracks during ground fatigue testing.
The successful maiden flight confirmed the aircraft's stability and controllability and all the on board systems performed without any glitches.
The test flight also included a simulated landing approach, in which the aircraft climbed away before touching down in the runway.
The single aisle MC-21-300 with a maximum range of 6,000 km (3,200 nmi), can seat up to 180 passengers in a two class layout and 211 passengers in a single class layout. A shorter variant MS-21-200 will seat upto 165 passengers.
The MC-21 features industry first polymer composite wing, that reduce aircraft weight and improve fuel efficiency. Other than the airframe, major subsystems are sourced from western companies.
Powered by new generation fuel efficient high bypass engines, the MC-21 is equipped with a advanced glass cockpit and avionics system supplied by Honeywell, Thales and Elbit systems.
UK based Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems (MABS) developed the entire brake-by-wire brake control system for all variants of the MC-21, while Eaton Corporation along with Russian suppliers supply the hydraulic system.
The flight deck have five 9x12 inch multi-functional display units with track balls for cursor movement.
It is also the first commercial aircraft to debut a active side stick controls, which is supplied by UTC Aerospace systems.
Active side-sticks provide pilots with a tactile and visual feedback of the aircraft behavior. Featuring an electrical cross coupling (with override capability) and a grip backdrive in auto-pilot mode, the active controllers have been designed to provide pilots with a heightened awareness of the aircraft's situation.
Honeywell also supplies Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), RDR4000 weather radar, Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), SATCOM, Navigation receiver Cabin Pressure Control System (CPCS) and Cabin Air Management System components.
Customers can select either the Pratt & Whitney PW1400G-JM geared turbofan engines with 31,000 lb thrust each or Russian UEC-Aviadvigatel PD-14 turbofan engine with 28,000 lb thrust to power the aircraft.
As the PD-14 is in its final stage of developmental flight testing, currently the MC-21 is powered by PW1400 GTF. The PD-14 is scheduled to be available from 2018.
With a wingspan of 35.9 m, the MC-21 have the longest fuselage in single aisle category at 42.2 m. The aircraft have a maximum takeoff weight of 79,250 kg and can carry a maximum payload of 22,600 kg.
The aircraft will compete to break the duopoly of Boeing's 737 MAX and Airbus A320 neo. The Chinese COMAC C919 will also be a future competitor.
Irkut says the MC-21 will have 12-15 percent lower operational costs than its rivals. To date 175 firm orders have been placed, of which majority are from Russian leasing firms.
