Russia's Irkut MC-21-300 Performs First Flight | Aviation International News

Russia's Irkut MC-21-300 Performs First Flight

Maiden mission from Irkutsk lasts 30 minutes

The MC-21 will become the chief beneficiary of a massive investment in airliner development by the Russian government. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)

By Gregory Polek • Senior Editor

May 30, 2017

The Irkut MC-21-300 narrowbody flew for the first time on May 28, carrying not only “Heros of Russia” crew commander Oleg Kononenko and copilot Roman Taskayev, but also the aspirations of Russia’s aviation industry to regain a measure of prestige not felt since Soviet times. Lasting only 30 minutes, the flight from the Irkutsk Aviation Plant airfield in Siberia took the 163- to 211-seat airliner to an altitude of 3,280 feet and a speed of 162 knots. The flight plan included aerodynamic stability and controllability checks as well as engine control tests, and the crew performed a simulated landing approach, followed by a pass over the runway and climbing and turning maneuvers.

“This is not just a first flight of a new aircraft, but rather an advance of the product that will determine the shape of the Russian civilian aviation industry for the next 50 years," said Yury Slyusar, president of Irkut parent company United Aircraft Corporation.

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