Russian MC-21-300 Aircraft Completes Tests in Yakutsk

The Irkut MC-21-300 aircraft completed tests in cold conditions in Yakutsk and returned to the test base in Zhukovsky near Moscow.

In Yakutia, the aircraft and its systems have been tested since January 23, 2022 at temperatures below minus 30 °C as part of the work to expand the type certificate. Before each stage, the plane cooled down - spent about 12 hours in the open air. Then the procedures for preparing the aircraft for flight were carried out: refueling, turning on the systems, starting the main engines and auxiliary power unit, warming up the aircraft, etc.

During the flights, all aircraft systems were checked as a whole. In Yakutsk, a series of flights lasting up to 6 hours was carried out over various, including northern, regions of the region. Landings were mainly carried out at night, which is characterized by the lowest temperatures. The MS-21-300 aircraft carried out a number of difficult modes, in particular, a planned shutdown and start-up of one of the main engines in flight was carried out.

Andrey Boginsky, General Director of the Irkut Corporation, said: “We have completed an important stage of testing to expand the type certificate for the MS-21-300 aircraft. The Ministry of Transport and Roads of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the airport ‘Yakutsk’ provided us with significant assistance in organizing this work. This year, we plan to actively test the aircraft in various regions of our country and abroad, including in high altitude conditions, strong crosswinds, and high temperatures.”

Minister of Transport and Road Facilities of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Vladimir Sivtsev said: “Today our airport is capable of receiving and servicing aircraft of all types and modifications. We wish success to the MS-21 program and look forward to the arrival of the aircraft with passengers in Yakutsk.”

According to Sergey Ignatenko, Director General of Yakutsk Airport JSC, the airport is actively used as a unique test site for new aircraft in extremely low temperatures.