The Irkut MC-21 passenger jet is slowly expanding its flight envelope ahead of commencing certification flight tests. On June 21, the ...
The Irkut MC-21 passenger jet is slowly expanding its flight envelope ahead of commencing certification flight tests.
On June 21, the MC-21-300 prototype completed its fifth developmental flight from the airfield of Irkutsk Aviation Plant. Since first flight on May 28 the aircraft have flown for around five hours.
The longest flight till date, lasted for 2 hour and 10 minutes and tested the high lift control surfaces (flaps) of the aircraft. Flap configuration for take off, cruise and landing have been tested during the last three flights.
Oleg Demchenko, president of Irkut Corporation revealed at the Paris International Air Show that МС-21 will perform more than 30 test flights within development test program after which certification tests will begin.
The first flight in May lasted for 30 minutes at speeds averaging 300 kmph and altitudes of up to 1000 meters.
The new generation Russian single aisle passenger jet can be configured to seat between 163 to 211 passengers. It is currently powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1400 G geared turbofan engines, while the Russian PD-14 turbofan engine is undergoing flight testing.
More than 30 percent of the aircraft is built using the composites including the wings. The MC-21 will compete to break the duopoly of Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family in the single aisle market.
As being a clean sheet new generation design, the MC-21 design is more aligned with the present market trend. The aircraft has higher cabin pressurization and the fuselage is longer enabling comfortable and spacious interiors than its Western rivals.
Meanwhile a contract has been signed by Irkut and French Safran Group at the Paris Air Show to provide complete ventilation system package for MC-21. Safran Ventilation Systems will provide the package composed of eight equipment to ensure cabin air and avionic bay cooling functions. The contract covers development, qualification, serial production supply and aftersales activities.
