EASA Performs First Certification Flight Of Russian Airliner MC-21

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have completed the first flight session for certifying Russian airliner MC-21, the Russian manufacturer Irkut Corporation said in a press release.

During the certification tests, the behavior of MC-21-300 aircraft was evaluated in various modes, including high angles of attack and stalling. Flights duration from 2.5 to 4 hours were performed at altitudes from 3 to 10 km, the release said.

In September 2018, EASA test crew completed a special course in theoretical and practical training to fly on MC-21-300 aircraft.

Irkut says the test crews also featured both EASA and Russian engineers tasked with analysing the flight parameters.

Irkut is striving to certify the MC-21 both in Russia and Europe. The flight-test fleet comprises three completed aircraft, two of which have been flown.