MC-21-300 test aircraft. Credit: Irkut Corporation.

Russia’s United Aircraft (UAC) unit Irkut has completed the initial flight of the second MC-21-300 test aircraft at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant airfield.

During the one-hour-seven-minute-long flight, the aircraft ascended up to 3,000m at up to 400km/h.

The flight was conducted to test the aircraft’s stability and controllability for various wing configurations with retracting and extension landing gear.

Pilots Vasily Sevastyanov and Andrey Voropayev also tested various equipment onboard the MC-21-300.

“Once developed, MC-21-300 aircraft will be powered by two engines and will be able to accommodate between 132 and 212 passengers.”

Russia Industry and Trade Acting Minister Denis Manturov said: “The flight of the second aircraft is a significant event that will ensure the timely conduct of flight certification tests.

“In addition, the Irkutsk Aviation Plant is building three more test aircraft. In parallel with the flight and static tests, active preparations are being held for the deployment of serial production of the new airliner.”

Aviastar-SP has already started building panels for the first MC-21-300 aircraft to be delivered to customers. UAC holds a 96.3% share in the company.

UAC and Irkut president Yuri Slyusar said: “In recent years, the Russian aviation industry has undergone a profound modernisation. The most modern scalable assembly line for the newest civil airliners was commissioned at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.

“Within the UAC, fundamentally new competencies have been developed in the field of production of structures from polymer composite materials.

“Their widespread use is one of the main advantages of the aircraft. The new high-tech production will ensure the development of the MC-21 programme and other perspective aviation projects.”

Once developed, MC-21-300 aircraft will be powered by two engines and be able to accommodate between 132 and 212 passengers.