Alexander Dolotovsky, Deputy General Director of PJSC Yakovlev and Director of the MC-21 programme, has outlined the top-priority tasks for the coming year to complete import substitution and launch the aircraft into commercial operation. In an interview with the TG-channel ‘Notes of Aircraft Builders’ he told what needs to be done to achieve these goals.
According to him, the primary tasks of the MC-21 programme are to pass certification flight tests of import-substituted MC-21 models, as well as to launch the development of a smaller passenger capacity version of the aircraft – MC-21-210. It is also necessary to ensure rhythmic serial production and the start of commercial operation of MC-21-310 aircraft.
‘To achieve these goals, we all need to take a sober look at where we are, identify all the constraints and determine ways to eliminate them. But I will say right away that I am in favour of a consistent and progressive approach. A lot of work has already been done, the results of which should be multiplied rather than lost,’ the MC-21 Programme Director said.
The programme envisages further steps of the Directorate, which include coordination of all processes related to the aircraft programme. These include the release of design documentation, certification, work with suppliers, as well as preparation of the production site and further product support throughout the life cycle.
‘The work of our entire company is the development and production of aircraft. It is to this goal that we will subordinate all our efforts, because even perfectly organised individual processes may not give the overall result. The main tool for achieving this task is end-to-end and transparent planning. It has already been deployed in our company, and we will improve our work by adjusting detailed programme plans for all areas of activity within the framework of the agreed budget for the remainder of 2024 and 2025. We will then update the plans for 2026-27. I would like to emphasise that only movement within the framework of a single, logically justified cross-cutting plan will allow us to achieve our goals within the set timeframe. It’s like assembling an aeroplane – unless all the parts are in place, it will not fly,’ Alexander Dolotovsky said.
Having not been directly involved in the MC-21 programme until recently, but having previous experience in the Superjet 100 programme, he noted that the principles of management and life cycle stages in aviation programmes are the same, the chain of cooperation is already almost aligned, and with the promotion of the decision to create a single Engineering Centre, the technical expertise and experience gained in the Superjet 100 programme will organically intertwine on one platform with the experience and competencies gained in the MC-21 programme.
‘I will do my best to ensure that this movement will benefit the entire company and contribute to the success of both programmes. As I have already said, our main task on the MC-21 programme now is to successfully complete the certification testing programme and start serial deliveries on schedule, as well as to launch development work on a new member of the family – the MC-21-210. This is the path we have been on with the Superjet programme and more than once,’ Alexander Dolotovsky stressed.
He expressed confidence in the support of the whole team and noted that joint work is necessary to achieve a common goal, the MC-21 programme is an ambitious project that requires clear planning and a team approach.
Reference
Alexander Dolotovsky was born on 19 February 1976 in Moscow. In 1998 he graduated from the Moscow Aviation Institute with a degree in Flight Dynamics and Motion Control. From 1998 to 2003 he worked as an engineer at the MiG Aviation Research and Production Complex, and from 2003 he joined GSS (now Regional Aircraft, a branch of PJSC Yakovlev), where he rose from an engineer in the Aerodynamics Department to Deputy Director for Development.