The MC-21-310 prototype, tail number 73057 (MC.0013), completed its first flight after being upgraded to the import-substituted configuration. The resumption of flight testing was delayed by nearly a year: back in April 2024, Anatoly Gaidansky, First Deputy CEO of Yakovlev PJSC, stated at a meeting of the MS-21 foreign-cooperation committee that the aircraft’s flight was expected by the end of November that year. He emphasized the need for coordinated work by all suppliers and contractors to meet that timeline.
In an interview with UAC’s press service, Gaidansky explained the aircraft’s role in the test campaign. Originally built as the first serial MC-21-300 with foreign-made engines and systems (tail number 73361), the aircraft was the first in the program to feature a Russian-made composite wing. Test flights performed in 2022 allowed certification of the wing as part of the airframe.
The extensive work required to complete the MC.0013 aircraft clearly demonstrated the complexity of the import-substitution effort. Yakovlev and its suppliers had to re-equip the aircraft entirely with domestic systems and restore it to airworthy condition. During modification, all systems, engines, and the APU were removed and replaced. Gaidansky highlighted the contribution of the design, manufacturing, and flight-test teams that ensured readiness for flight.
At this stage, any forecasts regarding the completion of flight tests, approval of the major design change, and the start of commercial operations remain approximate. Based on official statements and current program dynamics, certification of the MC-21-310 is expected by the end of 2026, with entry into commercial service likely in Q1–Q2 2027. Some industry observers voice more optimistic expectations, but these are not supported by Yakovlev’s internal test-program schedule.
During his visit to the Irkutsk Aircraft Plant on 17 October, Dmitry Yadrov, Head of the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya), confirmed that certification of the fully import-substituted MC-21 version is targeted for late 2026. He noted that the replacement of foreign systems is progressing as planned and expressed confidence that all required activities with UAC and the aviation industry would be completed on schedule.
Production Modernization at Irkutsk Aircraft Plant
Irkutsk Aircraft Plant continues to upgrade its manufacturing capabilities for the MC-21 program. Two high-performance milling and machining centers have been installed in Shop 221 to produce spars, ribs, beams, and other large structural components.
Specialists from Irkut-Remstroy built two reinforced concrete foundations with 32 anchor wells each for the installation. The machines, weighing over 33 tons apiece, were moved into position using a 50-ton crane and roller system under the supervision of Irkut and Irkut-StankoService engineers.
Installation, power and pneumatic hookups are complete, and the supplier is conducting commissioning work. “We’ll soon produce the first test part. The CNC system is familiar to our staff, so we don’t expect issues with mastering or operating the new equipment,” said Vladimir Sukhopara, lead engineer of Department 546, in the plant’s newspaper *Irkutsky Aviastroitel.*
Russian machine-tool manufacturers have also launched production of automatic riveting machines for assembling aircraft panels. The first unit has already been shipped to Nizhny Novgorod for MC-21 fuselage assembly. According to Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, four additional machines are planned for delivery in 2026–2027, enabling technological independence in this critical stage of airframe manufacturing.
Ural Airlines to Build MC-21 Maintenance Facility
Ural Airlines will soon begin construction of a dedicated maintenance hangar complex for MC-21 aircraft, valued at 10 billion rubles, Governor of Sverdlovsk Region Denis Pasler announced. The 15,000 m² complex will support major repairs, including landing-gear and avionics overhaul. The project will form a key infrastructure base for domestic airliner operations, ensuring full-cycle technical support.
Sokol Plant Begins Assembly of Lower Fuselage Bay
The Sokol Aircraft Plant in Nizhny Novgorod has begun assembling the first lower fuselage bay for the MC-21-310, a major structural component of the airframe. The plant received the upper and lower sections as well as the pressure bulkhead and began final assembly in a new dedicated shop equipped with custom tooling. The completed assembly will be shipped to Irkutsk for final integration.
The next phase of the cooperation program envisions full localization of the lower bay production, including the airframe skin, hydraulic, fuel, and environmental control systems. Necessary equipment has already been delivered, and tooling manufacture is nearing completion.
Sokol joined the MC-21-310 program at the serial production stage. To ensure required output rates, assembly will run in parallel at the Nizhny Novgorod and Ulyanovsk sites. After certification, the plant plans to reach an annual production rate of up to 24 sets of lower bays.
Second MC-21-310 Prototype Completes Maiden Flight
On 28 October, the second MC-21-310 prototype (73057) took off from the Irkutsk airfield. It is equipped with PD-14 engines, a Russian-made composite wing, and domestic avionics and flight-control systems.
The 50-minute flight tested all major systems and confirmed the stable performance of Russian-built equipment. The crew comprised test pilots Andrey Voropaev (Commander, Honored Test Pilot of Russia) and Oleg Mutovin (1st Class Test Pilot, Hero of Russia), supported by flight engineers Anton Kuznetsov and Grigory Kudryashov. All planned maneuvers were executed successfully.
Voropaev noted that pre-flight preparations were routine and all systems started sequentially from the APU. “Hydraulics, power supply, air conditioning, and the integrated flight-control system operated nominally. The aircraft handled precisely and remained stable throughout,” he said.
Mutovin added that this is the first MC-21 aircraft to feature a fully domestic flight-control system, including cockpit controls, surface actuators, and stabilizer trim mechanisms. The test program was completed in full, with a chase aircraft monitoring external parameters and air-data accuracy. The prototype will soon undergo additional factory flights before transfer to Zhukovsky for further testing.
Focus of the Flight-Test Campaign
According to Nikolay Fonurin, Deputy Head of the Flight-Test and Development Center at Yakovlev PJSC, the aircraft’s first flight was a direct measure of the program’s progress. The decision to fly was made only after analyzing aircraft condition, crew readiness, and weather forecasts. Limits for wind speed and crosswind were set and approved by the industry’s methodological council.
During the flight, the crew verified operation of all systems — from the APU and engines to the integrated control suite. An atmospheric front passed over the airfield earlier in the day, so gusts were monitored closely. All data were recorded and analyzed to confirm flight safety. Fonurin noted that this aircraft concentrates “the lion’s share of work” for the test program because the introduction of the new domestic control system affects critical aircraft components.
PD-14 Engines Meet Performance Targets
Fedor Mironov, Deputy Director for Sales at United Engine Corporation (UEC), reported that the PD-14 engines operated normally throughout the first flight — from idle to take-off power, including reverse thrust application during braking. Ground and flight tests confirmed compliance with weight, thrust, and fuel efficiency requirements.
Certified in 2018, the PD-14 engine is now installed on three MC-21 aircraft. Testing of new Russian on-board systems continues in conjunction with this powerplant. According to Mironov, the PD-14 is fully competitive with foreign engines used on medium-range airliners.
Key Systems and Cabin Configuration
Vitaly Naryshkin, Chief Designer of the MC-21 Program, stated that the 73057 aircraft achieved near-complete import substitution. The installation of a fully Russian flight-control system is a major milestone. Another key upgrade is the domestic braking system, including wheels, tires, brakes, and the electronic control unit. Testing confirmed stable operation of this critical assembly during ground runs and flight tests.
At present, the cabin interior is partially equipped with galleys and lavatory modules. Installation of seating, overhead bins, and other interior elements will follow soon. “The MC-21 offers a spacious and comfortable cabin compared to foreign counterparts. We look forward to carrying passengers and believe they will appreciate it,” Naryshkin said.
Upcoming Test Objectives
With the resumption of flights of prototype 73057, the MC-21-310 program enters a crucial phase — certification of the fully localized variant. Upcoming flights will validate safety and reliability of all systems, performance against design specifications, and control behavior at low speeds and high angles of attack, including approaching critical angles. Additional tests will cover natural icing conditions to verify the domestic anti-icing system and PD-14 engine stability on wet and contaminated runways.
Landing-gear shimmy tests and low-visibility approach simulations are planned as well as extensive trials of radio communication, navigation, and flight-management equipment to assess accuracy and system integration within the aircraft’s data network.
Following successful completion, a final data set will be compiled to support approval of the major design change and entry into commercial service in 2027.
October 2025 Flight Test Summary
In October, four MC-21 aircraft were involved in flight-test activities: 73051, 73054, 73055, and 73057.
Aircraft 73051 (MC.0001) flew on 17 October under the type-certification program. The crew checked the radio altimeter, cabin pressure and air-conditioning systems, and bleed-air controls at various flight phases and flap settings. It was the first flight after lightning-protection tests.
Aircraft 73054 (MC.0004), which holds the baseline type certificate issued by Rosaviatsiya in December 2021, performed nine flights (October 1, 3, 6–10, 16, and 24). It serves as a reference aircraft for testing the Russian airborne collision-avoidance system (SPSV), flying jointly with a Tu-214LL flying laboratory to compare TCAS and SPSV performance.
Aircraft 73055 (MC.0012) also completed nine flights (October 15, 17, 20, 22–24, 28–31), conducted on routes from Zhukovsky to Vorkuta and back as part of certification of domestic inertial navigation systems, ATC transponders, SPSV, and radio equipment.
In total, MC-21 aircraft performed 20 flights in October. On some days, several test aircraft — MC-21, SJ-100 (97023), and Il-114-300 (54116) — were in the air simultaneously over the Moscow region during certification trials.
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