Moscow. 28 May 2021. On May 28, 2017, the first flight of the MC-21-300, the first narrow-body medium-haul passenger airliner developed in post-Soviet Russia, took place at the airfield of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant (IAZ). This aircraft, capable of competing with the best American and European models, was eagerly awaited at the air show in Zhukovsky. When he performed his first public demonstration flight at MAKS-2019, the audience burst into applause. The world premiere of the new aircraft was impressive: three experienced MC-21-300s were presented to the visitors of the air show at once, one of which took part in the MAKS flight program, and the other two were demonstrated in a static parking lot.
The MS-21 program started in the “zero” years, when at the Engineering Center. A.S. Yakovlev, which is the main design division of the Irkut corporation, began to develop a new family of medium-range narrow-body airliners. The creators of the MC-21 set themselves an ambitious task – to build an aircraft that will take its rightful place in the world market. This could only be done by creating a truly innovative product with characteristics that would allow it to surpass its “classmates”. The key directions of the innovative search were advanced aerodynamics, a powerful and efficient propulsion system that meets international environmental standards, the widespread use of composites in the load-bearing structure, the latest control systems,
The MC-21 roll-out ceremony took place on June 8, 2016 in Irkutsk. After the “birth” of the new aircraft, the next stages of the project’s life began. Leading industry institutes gave permission for the first flight of the MC-21, the purpose of which is to check the operation of all aircraft systems, its stability and controllability. The flight lasting 30 minutes, performed on May 28, 2017 from the IAP airfield, passed in the normal mode, the aircraft systems worked without failures. Tests showed that the decisions made by the designers were correct. Further tests of the airliner continued on the basis of the Flight Test and Development Complex of the OKB named after A.S. Yakovlev in Zhukovsky. Over time, three more flight prototypes joined the first car.
Alas, the program for creating a new aircraft was not without difficulties. Problems came from where they did not expect: from yesterday’s partners. As a result of the imposition of sanctions, suppliers of composite materials refuse to cooperate with Russia. But the ill-wishers did not succeed in disrupting the project. The difficulties that arose served as a powerful incentive for the development of competencies in composites in Russia, although work on domestic materials somewhat delayed the implementation of the program. Russia was able to replace imported materials by creating their domestic counterparts in just two years.
It is no exaggeration to say that this project has become a locomotive for the entire domestic aviation industry. The implementation of the MC-21 program in the context of import substitution required a deep modernization of production and the introduction of the latest technologies not only at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, but also at other Russian enterprises participating in the project. High-tech companies were created in the field of the production of the latest polymer composite materials, a cooperation was formed for the manufacture of wing structures from composites using the new technology, a large-scale work was carried out to replace import of a number of the most important aircraft components, primarily the engine. A comprehensive implementation of digital technologies was carried out, covering the development, production and operation of aircraft.
MS-21 at MAKS
The entire aviation world is closely following the progress of the MC-21 program, and the MAKS air show remains the main platform where the aviation community gets acquainted with the main milestones of the project’s development. The presentation of the PD-14 engine development project took place at the MAKS-2009 air show. The flight procedural simulator for the MC-21 aircraft crew was first presented at MAKS-2013, and in 2015, visitors to the salon saw its updated version. The world premiere of MC-21-300 took place at MAKS-2019 and, without exaggeration, became the main event of the salon. An experienced liner with tail number “002” performed demonstration flights, and two more machines were shown in a static parking lot. One of the aircraft was presented with a passenger compartment trim, which makes it possible to appreciate the high level of comfort of the liner. At MAKS-2021, four experimental aircraft will be presented at once. The next main premiere of the salon is expected, when the MS-21-310 with the Russian PD-14 engine rises into the sky over Zhukovsky.
In May 2021, a composite wing made of domestic materials was delivered to the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. The MS-21 with its new composite wing is expected to take to the skies by the end of this year. Well, we will look forward to the appearance of the MC-21 with a domestic “black” wing in the livery of a Russian airline at MAKS-2023!
