Irkut Displays Full-Scale Mockup of MC-21
Irkut's full-scale mockup of its nascent MC-21 short- to medium-range midsize airliner is on display at the Singapore Airshow. Photo by Mark Wagner.
Irkut's full-scale mockup of its nascent MC-21 short- to medium-range midsize airliner is on display at the Singapore Airshow. Photo by Mark Wagner.

Irkut has brought a full-scale mockup of its nascent MC-21 short- to medium-range midsize airliner to Singapore, giving visitors their first chance to see up-close the shape of things to come in the design of Russian civil aircraft. Characterized by a particularly wide fuselage, the MC-21 also features advanced aerodynamics, extensive use of composites and two modern engine choices–either the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan or the Aviadvigatel PD-14–all meant to decrease direct operating costs by 12 to 15 percent compared with existing airplanes in the same category. The fuselage is 25 percent wider than that of a 737 and 11 percent wider than that of an A320, even though it would weigh less than either of the established aircraft.