Third MC-21-300 joins flight test program

The maiden flight of the third MC-21-300 test aircraft took place on March 16 at the airfield of Irkutsk Aviation Plant, the affiliate of Irkut Corporation (Moscow, Russia), a United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, Moscow, Russia) member.

The duration of flight was 1 hour 30 minutes at an altitude of 3500 meters at a speed of up to 450 km/h. According to the crew report, the task was performed completely, the flight was in normal mode.

“MC-21-300 flight tests are continuing,” says minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov. “Today the third aircraft joined to them. On this plane, in addition to special testing equipment, a passenger cabin is installed“.

According to Manturov, it was decided to hold the premiere public debut of the MC-21-300 aircraft with a passenger interior at the Moscow international aviation and space salon MAKS-2019.

“This will allow us to visually demonstrate to potential customers and future passengers one of the most important competitive advantages of the Russian airliner — an increased level of comfort,” Manturov says.

Yuri Slyusar, president of UAC and Irkut Corporation, adds that in 2019 the fourth MC-21-300 prototype, built at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, will join the flight tests. “Airplanes are built on new automated lines that provide high precision and quality of assembly,” says Slyusar.