34 AIRLINER WORLD APRIL 2018
T
his is an important year for
the Irkut MC-21 programme.
The jet completed its maiden
flight nine months ago, on
May 28, 2017 and its
manufacturer is now busy with the
certification process. It is hoped the
aircraft will enter service next year. The
innovative design is also expected to
make its debut on the international
scene, with appearances scheduled
at various exhibitions and airshows,
including Farnborough International
in July.
A Clean Sheet Design
The MC-21 is in good company, along
with Bombardier’s C Series, Mitsubishi’s
MRJ and Comac’s C919. They all are
clean sheet designs, and barring the C
Russia’s latest jet airliner programme, the
Irkut MC-21 has now entered its flight test
and certification programme. Richard
Schuurman examines the jet’s
development so far.
Heading for Certification
MC-21
The first prototype
MC-21, 21001 (c/n 001),
was publicly rolled out
at the manufacturer’s
Irkutsk Aviation Plant in
Eastern Siberia on June
8, 2016.
UNITED AIRCRAFT
CORPORATION