RuAviation

On June 25, 2025, certification flight testing continued at Zhukovsky Flight Test Center with the SJ-100 aircraft, tail number 97021. The flight evaluated the aircraft’s stability and controllability at airspeeds and Mach numbers exceeding established maximum operating limits. United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced the test results through its press service.

“The aircraft achieved 334 knots (approximately 384 mph) at Mach 0.87, which represents exceedances of 24 knots and 0.05 Mach above maximum allowable parameters,” the corporation stated.

Testing proceeded under supervision of experts from the Russian Aviation Register and the State Research Institute of Civil Aviation (GosNIIGA) certification center. The flight crew reported positive results, confirming required stability and controllability characteristics while validating reliable operation of the integrated flight control system and domestically-produced avionics.

These test results represent a significant milestone in advancing the Superjet’s certification and enhancing its market position amid efforts to increase domestic content. Demonstrating stable performance beyond established limits reinforces the aircraft’s appeal to airlines seeking reliable and modern regional jets.

Earlier certification testing on this experimental aircraft successfully evaluated the domestic fuel system during a flight exceeding two hours, completing 15 test profiles. All equipment functioned without anomalies throughout the evaluation.

The Superjet certification program for the import-substituted configuration requires approximately 200 flights through the end of 2025. Three test aircraft with varying degrees of foreign components will conduct these flights. Aircraft 97021, equipped with SaM146 engines and partially domestic systems, performs certification flights at Zhukovsky.

Aircraft 97012 (serial number 95157) with PD-8 engines undergoes testing at Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The third aircraft, tail number 97023 (serial number 97003), represents the fully import-substituted configuration with PD-8 engines. This aircraft arrived at Zhukovsky on June 21 and is currently preparing for certification flights.