Prototype aircraft MC-21 (reg. 73055) and SJ-100 (reg. 97023) are currently undergoing flight certification tests in Syktyvkar, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) reported.
On February 16, 2026, the MC-21 completed a flight along the Zhukovsky – Sabetta – Syktyvkar route. The mission included a sortie into the Arctic zone, with a turnaround near Sabetta for the return leg.
The aircraft departed Zhukovsky at 07:25 UTC, overflew the Sabetta region at 10:30 UTC, and landed at Syktyvkar Airport (Komi Republic) at 13:40 UTC. Total flight duration was 6 hours 15 minutes. UAC clarified that this was a training flight and marked the MC-21’s first visit to Syktyvkar.
A source at the Gromov Flight Research Institute (LII, Ramenskoye) noted that this phase of the certification program evaluates the performance of the inertial navigation system in high latitudes, as well as the aircraft’s operational characteristics under Arctic conditions. The MC-21 will return to Zhukovsky within three to four days.
Syktyvkar was chosen for testing due to its geographic location and stable winter weather, which allows systems and components to be evaluated at temperatures close to operational limits. Meanwhile, the SJ-100 prototype (reg. 97023) is conducting flights in the region to assess onboard systems in northern latitudes.
“Testing navigation and onboard systems in high-latitude conditions is a mandatory element of certification for operations on northern and Arctic routes,” the source added.
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