- Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has completed the maiden flight of the first production-standard MC-21-310 built on the serial assembly line with Russian-made systems replacing the imported equipment originally selected for the program.
- The MC-21-310 airliner flew for one hour and 23 minutes after taking off from an airstrip at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, reaching speeds of 600 kilometers per hour (372 miles per hour) and altitudes of 6,000 meters (19,700 feet).
- Test pilot Roman Taskayev stated that the first assembly line produced aircraft performed well, and the flight plan was completed in full.
- United Aircraft Corporation CEO Vadim Badekha announced that the Irkutsk factory is preparing an initial batch of 18 airliners and that the government approved additional production orders following Putin’s visit.
- The MC-21 program was first launched in 2009 and was originally slated for mass production in 2016, but sanctions and delays in replacing foreign-made parts continually pushed back delivery timelines.
- The plane’s developers claim it is built entirely with parts sourced in Russia.
- State defense conglomerate Rostec, which oversees the United Aircraft Corporation, aims to complete certification of the MC-21 by late 2026, with commercial flights scheduled to begin months later.
- Vitaly Naryshkin, the jet’s chief designer, mentioned that running production alongside testing will help minimize the gap between receiving certification and beginning deliveries of the MC-21.
Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has successfully completed the maiden flight of the first production-standard MC-21-310, marking a pivotal moment in the country's aviation industry.1
The aircraft took off from the Irkutsk Aviation Plant on August 3, remaining airborne for 1 hour and 23 minutes, reaching an altitude of 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) and a speed of 600 km/h (372 mph).2
Test pilot Roman Taskayev reported, “The first assembly line produced aircraft performed well, and the flight plan was completed in full.”3
UAC CEO Vadim Badekha announced that the Irkutsk factory is preparing an initial batch of 18 airliners, with the government approving additional production orders following President Vladimir Putin's visit to the facility.
The MC-21 program, launched in 2009, faced delays due to international sanctions that required the replacement of imported components with Russian-made parts.5
Vitaly Naryshkin, the jet’s chief designer, emphasized that running production alongside testing will help “minimize the gap between receiving certification and beginning deliveries”.8
Certification is expected by 2027, with commercial flights anticipated shortly thereafter.
UAC stated that about half of the MC-21 certification flight campaign has been completed, paving the way for future deliveries to airlines after the aircraft receives its type certificate.
“The flight lasted one hour and 23 minutes, reaching 600 km/h and 6,000 meters, with test pilot Roman Taskayev saying 'the flight plan was completed in full.' UAC CEO Vadim Badekha said the Irkutsk plant is assembling an initial batch of 18 aircraft, with certification targeted for late 2026.”
The Moscow Times
