RuAviation

On December 24, 2025, Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA) in Yekaterinburg commenced joint flight tests of the VK-800 engine and AV-901 propeller integrated into the LMS-901 “Baikal” aircraft.

In preparation for the first flight, engineers conducted a series of ground tests, including taxiing, high-speed runs, and short hops with the VK-800 installed. UZGA’s press service noted that specialists evaluated engine stability across all modes, throttle response, acceleration characteristics, emergency shutdown operations, and propeller feathering.

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Special attention was given to fuel supply, vibration loads, and the coordinated operation of aircraft subsystems. Data from these tests confirmed readiness for high-speed taxiing, further flight maneuvers, and the first official flight of the “Baikal.”

After landing, UZGA test pilot Alexey Yazynin reported that the flight proceeded normally. The aircraft demonstrated stable handling across the tested speed and altitude ranges. The powerplant operated consistently, with primary and backup systems functioning correctly. Engine parameters remained within normative limits, and performance matched design predictions.

The VK-800 engine is designed for installation on the LMS-901 “Baikal,” the UTS-800 trainer, the regional LMS-192 “Osvey,” and for re-engining localized L-410 aircraft. Installed power ranges from 807 to 870 hp, depending on the application and engine configuration.

The AV-901 single-action propeller uses a feather-reversible design with a single hydraulic control channel. Its nominal rotation speed reaches 1,900 rpm, and the calculated maximum thrust of an isolated propeller is at least 15 kN. The propeller is entirely domestically produced, and its materials and control components meet industry certification standards.

In April 2025, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade (Minpromtorg) awarded UZGA a contract for experimental design work to develop the LMS-901 “Baikal” with a domestic powerplant. The contract’s maximum value is 10.4 billion rubles, with completion expected by December 17, 2027.

The program includes manufacturing new and upgrading existing VK-800SM engines, AV-901 propellers, and LMS-901 aircraft, conducting preliminary and static tests, and preparing certification documentation for type approval and major modification endorsements (OGI). The certification program covers engine and propeller performance, operational mode evaluation, emergency system validation, and aircraft integration.

In May, UZGA Technical Director Vitaly Shorokhov stated that the third flight prototype of the LMS-901 with the VK-800 engine is expected to be completed by year-end, enabling type certification in 2026. Post-certification work will continue under the contract to refine engine and propeller prototypes and secure OGI approvals.

Elvira Kireeva, Director of UZGA’s Light Aviation Programs, noted that in 2025 flight tests were conducted with an imported powerplant, issues were addressed, and parallel efforts updated the design documentation for the domestic engine.

The first LMS-901 flight with the VK-800 engine confirms successful integration of the domestic powerplant into the light multipurpose aircraft. Replacing the foreign engine ensures full control over the “Baikal” lifecycle, including component supply, maintenance, and repair.

The VK-800 engine, developed by UZGA, is adapted for operation in challenging climatic conditions, including Arctic regions, taiga, and mountainous areas. This supports deployment in locations with limited infrastructure and high reliability requirements.