First series-production MC-21-310 passenger aircraft completes maiden flight

The first series-production MC-21-310 passenger aircraft completed its maiden flight on 3 July, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced.

Built using industrial processes intended for full-rate production and configured with domestically produced components, the aircraft took off from the Irkutsk Aviation Plant aerodrome and remained airborne for 1 hour and 23 minutes.

Powered by Russian PD-14 engines developed by the United Engine Corporation (UEC), the jet reached an altitude of 20,000 feet (6,000 metres) and an indicated speed of 323 knots (600 km/h) during the flight.

MC-21-310 flight assessment

According to UAC, the crew assessed the aircraft’s stability, controllability in different flight configurations and the performance of its Russian-developed onboard systems. The manufacturer said that the aircraft performed satisfactorily and that all planned test objectives were achieved.

Preparing for series production

The company stated that the successful first flight of the production aircraft confirms that its industrial supply chain is ready to begin series manufacture of the MC-21-310, including an initial batch of 18 aircraft.

UAC added that the production facility is also prepared to begin fulfilling further orders approved by the Russian government. At the same time as manufacturing progresses, the MC-21-310 certification programme remains under way.

More than half of the certification flight-test campaign has now been completed, according to UAC. The manufacturer said that introducing the final industrial processes at this stage will provide greater consistency on the assembly line and help speed up the start of series deliveries of the aircraft to airlines.