Third Iteration of Irkut's MC-21 Completes Maiden Flight

The third iteration of the Irkut MC-21-300 aircraft has completed its maiden flight, at the airfield of Irkutsk Aviation Plant, the affiliate of Irkut Corporation (a UAC member).

The duration of flight was 1 hour 30 minutes at an altitude of 3500 meters at a speed of up to 450 kmph, the company said in a statement Saturday.

“The MC-21-300 is still undergoing flight tests and development. The third iteration of the aircraft completed its maiden flight today. In addition to special testing equipment, a passenger cabin has been installed on the plane,” Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia, said.

The aircraft will be first presented at Russia’s MAKS Air Show, set to be held from August 27 to September 1, 2019.

"A decision was made to hold the first presentation of the MC-21-300 passenger aircraft at the aviation and space show MAKS 2019,” the minister added.

The fourth prototype of the aircraft is likely to be tested this year. “In 2019 the fourth MC-21-300 prototype, built at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant will join the flight tests,” Yuri Slyusar, President of UAC and Irkut Corporation said, talking about future plans of developing the aircraft.

Irkut Corporation is conducting MC-21-300 flight tests in order to obtain Russian and European type certificates.