Russian MC-21 Airliner Applies for Fresh Certification to fly with Domestic Engine

The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) has accepted applications for approval of major changes to the certificate of the MC-21-300 aircraft- for the installation of PD-14 engines and for use of domestic composites in the main structural elements of the airframe.

The airliner will get a new designation- MC-21-310 and is likely to be flown for the first time at the MAKS 2021 event in Moscow.

On October 20, 2020, the head of the Rosaviation - First Deputy Minister of Transport Alexander Neradko and Deputy Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Oleg Bocharov held a meeting to discuss the progress of certification tests of the MC-21-300 aircraft, Rostec, the holding company of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), announced today.

 The event was attended by the heads of UAC, Irkut Corporation and M.M. Gromov Flight Research Institute.

It was noted at the meeting that the tests are carried out according to programs approved by certification centers. The specialists of these organizations participate in flight and ground tests, as well as in computational and analytical work under the certification program. The airframe and aircraft systems are of atypical design. The software functionality is being increased.

According to Oleg Bocharov, preparations for the first flight of the MS-21-310 aircraft with PD-14 engines are proceeding according to schedule. The installation of aircraft systems is nearing completion, software development for the integration of engines and aircraft control systems is underway.

The deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade also said that Russian manufacturers of composites, together with the developer of the MC-21 aircraft, had conducted qualification tests of domestic materials in accordance with aviation regulations. Tests carried out in centers certified by FAP "Rosaviatsia" showed that all the characteristics of the materials comply with the requirements for the aircraft design.

Irkut Corporation has started production of serial parts and assemblies from domestic composites. The transition to Russian materials will not lead to a deterioration in the flight technical and economic performance of the MC-21-300 aircraft.

The meeting participants discussed the proposals of the Irkut corporation on the development of the regulatory framework aimed at solving the issues of the supply of aviation equipment, increasing the efficiency of its operation and improving the software system.