Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency of Russia (Rosaviatsia) has issued local aircraft manufacturer JSC Irkut Corporation a type certificate for the MC-21-300 passenger jet.
The certificate for the new generation medium-range passenger aircraft was issued on December 28, 2021. The document confirms that the plane complies with Russia’s certification requirements applicable for a civil plane. It also gives Irkut Corporation the green light to begin mass production and sales of the MC-21-300.
“The issuance of a Type Certificate for MC passenger aircraft is the result of work carried out by the Federal Air Transport Agency, the Aviation Register of Russia, and accredited certification centers. This is the first important stage in the development of the latest domestic aviation technology,” said Alexander Neradko, Head of Rosaviatsia, in a statement.
“The Federal Air Transport Agency is ready to continue work on expanding the operating conditions of the aircraft and optimizing the structures, including re-motorization for the domestic PD-14 engine,” Neradko added.
The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia)
According to Andrey Boginsky, Irkut Corporation’s general director, the MC-21 jet will be the first mid-range passenger airliner to be fitted with composite wings. While the aircraft, which is capable of flying between 163 and 211 travelers in the passenger cabin, has obtained the type certificate, it must undergo several more testing phases. These are scheduled to begin in 2022.
Boginsky said: “In 2022, we will focus our efforts on expanding the type certificate for the MC-21-300 aircraft. First of all, we will complete the certification of an aircraft with a wing made of Russian composite materials. We will also test the airliner in high altitude conditions, strong crosswinds, low and high temperatures. This will allow to operate the MS-21-300 in any geographic zones.”