RuAviation

In September 2025, the Irkutsk Aviation Plant completed a comprehensive retrofit of the second MC-21-310 prototype (tail number 73057) as part of Russia’s import substitution program. The aircraft was transferred to the flight test division for acceptance and subsequent ground tests prior to its maiden flight.

The aircraft is now equipped with Russian-made PD-14 engines, as well as fully domestic flight control systems, avionics, auxiliary power unit, environmental control system, braking, fuel, and electrical systems. As a result of this retrofit, all imported components were replaced with Russian-made units, including wiring harnesses, pylons, wing mechanization, and landing gear.

This marks the first large-scale integration of Russian systems into a next-generation narrow-body airliner. In terms of localization, the MC-21-310 approaches the level of Soviet-era aircraft, but incorporates modern materials and digital systems. The introduction of fully domestic flight control and avionics requires additional validation, but paves the way for further integration of Russian solutions in civil aviation. Acceptance precedes the start of factory and certification testing.

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At the beginning of September, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov announced that in 2026, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec) plans to deliver four serial-production MC-21-310 aircraft. The PD-14 is the first Russian high-bypass turbofan engine for commercial airliners in over 30 years, delivering 30,865 pounds of thrust and featuring a digital FADEC control system. The PD-14 meets ICAO standards for community noise and CO2 emissions.

Engine certification as part of the aircraft is a mandatory step for commercial operation. The delivery of four serial aircraft with PD-14 engines will initiate the formation of a domestic narrow-body fleet, reducing reliance on foreign-built airliners and ensuring the industry’s technological independence.

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Rosaviatsia head Dmitry Yadrov announced the imminent start of MC-21 deliveries to Russian airlines. According to Yadrov, the aircraft is already flying and demonstrates stable engine thrust and fuel efficiency.

Deliveries of the MC-21 will allow airlines to renew their fleets, reduce dependence on imported aircraft, and significantly lower maintenance and overhaul costs for both airframes and engines. Before commercial service begins, certification procedures must be completed and infrastructure prepared to support the PD-14 and other domestic systems.

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The Irkutsk Aviation Plant is finalizing preparations for new machining centers to process titanium components. In Shop 269, reinforcement and concreting of four machine foundations, with a total mass of 368 metric tons, have been completed. Each machine weighs 92 metric tons and requires a special foundation with a system of 170 anchor wells.

A total of 440 cubic meters of concrete was poured continuously over two days. The design load per foundation is 184 metric tons (two machines per foundation). The equipment was manufactured in Belarus to Irkutsk’s specifications; two machines have already been delivered, with two more expected by year-end.

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In September 2025, flight testing under the factory and certification program for the MC-21-310 continued. On September 2, factory tests of the strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) were conducted. Later, on September 23 and 26, non-stop certification flights were performed along civil air routes to Ukhta and back to Zhukovsky, each lasting over four hours, to assess SINS accuracy. The crew included a test pilot from the Aviation Register, while Certification Center specialists processed the results on the ground.

A total of 13 flights were performed in September, totaling 1,860 minutes (31 hours). The MC-21 prototype with tail number 73055 completed 12 of these flights. In addition to SINS, the tests evaluated the performance of domestic radio communication (RCS) and external lighting systems, the flight management system (FMS), and the integrated air conditioning system (IACS). The IACS and automatic pressure control system (APCS) are among the most critical systems on a commercial airliner.

On September 10, aircraft 73054 and 73055 performed a night formation flight to certify external lighting systems. Aircraft 73054 was used to assess the visibility range of Russian-made beacons and other lighting equipment installed on 73055.

During a solo flight, the 73055 crew evaluated the operation of taxi and landing lights during approach, taxiing, takeoff, and landing roll. The assessment was conducted both from the cockpit and from the ground, where the aircraft’s visibility was checked using external beacons, strobes, and wing and fin illumination.

On September 12 and 15, as part of additional certification testing, Yakovlev specialists continued the drainage system checks begun in August. The goal was to confirm the effectiveness of flammable liquid drainage and compliance with modern aviation safety standards. On September 17 and 23, aircraft 73055 performed flights to evaluate the anti-icing and navigation systems.