RuAviation

Andrey Boginsky, CEO of PJSC Yakovlev, visited the Irkutsk Aviation Plant (IAZ) and checked the progress of work within the operational weekly schedule for the MC-21 prototype aircraft flight number 73055 (s/n MS.0012), which are continuing in the final assembly shop. This is reported by Yakovlev’s unofficial TG-channel Notes of aircraft builders.

‘Now the systems are being worked out on the machine in order to ensure the first flight. Particular attention is paid to the power supply system, which is on the critical path and significantly affects the timing of workouts of other systems,’ the report said.

On 25 April, at a meeting of the steering committee for external cooperation on the MS-21 project, Anatoly Gaidansky, first deputy general director of Yakovlev PJSC, said that it was planned to lift the 73055 into the air to start testing partially import-substituted systems in the aircraft by the end of June. A. Gaidansky added then that the Yakovlev team and equipment suppliers will have to perform a large amount of work to complete the aircraft to flight condition. However, the issues of readiness and timely delivery of components from co-operation enterprises did not allow Yakovlev to meet the deadline.

Yakovlev has announced the dates of the first flights of the MS-21 aircraft in import-substitution look

Based on the results of the IAZ inspection Andrey Boginsky instructed to form joint teams of the Engineering Centre, the IAZ and the Completion Centre, as well as the Aerospace Systems Design Bureau to promptly perform work on the power supply system and support the development of other systems for the start of flight tests. The Head of Yakovlev also discussed with the MS-21 programme management and Alexander Sergunov, IAZ Technical Director, the possibilities of completing the system development processes for the earliest possible start of flight testing under the programme of factory finalisation tests.

Alexander Dolotovsky, MS-21 Programme Director, reported to Yakovlev’s CEO on further steps to prepare for the first flight of the MS-21 in a partially import-substituted form. He considers this task feasible in the coming months.

‘We expect to solve the current issues on the 12th vehicle by mid-October and reach the finish line. This, of course, requires co-ordinated co-operation between the design bureau, the plant and our suppliers,’ Dolotovsky said.

Installation of the cable network continues on the MC-21-310 aircraft f/n 73057 (MC.0013), and the delivery of domestic components for the first flight is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. According to the Russian Aviation website, the aircraft will be able to take off no earlier than spring 2025.