The production centre of Irkut’s Regional Aircraft Corporation Branch hosted a field session of the Scientific and Technical Council in preparation for the first prototype SSJ-New aircraft to be flight tested.
According to the UAC press service, the session was attended by representatives of the suppliers of the aircraft systems and components. The final list of ground inspections to be passed by the aircraft before the start of flight tests was formed based on the results of the STS.
“To accelerate the test programme, SSJ-New will fly its first flight using French-Russian SaM146 engines. The second prototype will begin the flight test programme with domestic PD-8 engines, which are expected to arrive in Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the coming weeks,” the press service said.
“Within a few weeks, we will begin factory development tests, during which the first flight will take place. At the next stage, the aircraft will be presented to Rosaviation specialists for certification tests, following which the imported systems will be approved for use on board the SSJ-New. This will enable the serial production and commercial operation of the aircraft,” said Andrei Boginsky, Deputy Director General of UAC for Civil Aviation – General Director of Irkut Corporation.
He stressed that at each stage of testing, the corporation’s unconditional priority will be to ensure the safety and reliability of the equipment. “This is due to the fact that this machine will soon have to take passengers on board,” Boginsky added.
