MOSCOW -- The Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of Irkut Corp. (a part of UAC), has completed systems diagnostics of the fourth MC-21-300 aircraft designed for flight tests. The results of first prototypes testing were taken into account in the aircraft production process. Three of them are undergoing flight tests, two of them are on static tests.
On November 28, the new aircraft was transferred from final assembly shop to the plant's flight-test division.
The MC-21-300 twin-engine narrowbody commercial jet transport aircraft is powered by either UEC-Aviadvigatel PD-14 turbofan engines rated 122.6-137.3 kN (27,557-30,864 lbst) each, or Pratt & Whitney PW1400G geared turbofan engines rated 124.5-137.9 kN (28,000-31,000 lbst) each.
In early 2019, UAC and its Irkut subsidiary delayed service entry of the MC-21-300 until 2021, a postponement of roughly one year from previous plans. At least in part, the delay was due to supplier difficulties resulting from U.S. sanctions, particularly the supply of composite materials for the wing of the MC-21 . Russian type certification of the aircraft is slated for July 2020.