MC-21-300 receives initial type certification

On 28 December, Irkut announced that the Russian Civil Aviation Authority has granted the Pratt & Whitney-engined (with PW1431Gs) MC-21-300 its initial type certification. The version with Russian PD-14 engines is expected to follow early next year.

With this milestone, Irkut can now prepare to increase the production rate and gear up for deliveries to customers. Next year, the first six MC-21-300s will be delivered to Rossiya. The airline has an order for 50 MC-21-300s, which were ordered by mother company Aeroflot in September 2010. In total, 175 MC-21-300s have been ordered by twelve Russian companies.

The MC-21-programme was launched in 2007. The first prototype was rolled-out on 8 June 2016 and took to the skies for the first time on 28 May 2017. Irkut hopes to break the duopoly of Airbus and Boeing with the aircraft, that can seat up to 211 passengers and can fly them over a distance of up to 6,000 km. Next to the "standard" -300, the manufacturer is also planning for a shortened -200 (which can seat up to 165 passengers and can fly 6,400 km), as well as a lengthened -400 (which will have a capacity of 256 seats). A long-range -300 version could also be an option. In total, Irkut forecasts a market of at least 850 MC-21s.

As a next step, Irkut will now work on getting the type certified by other civil aviation authorities as the EASA and FAA, clearing the way for international sales and operations as well.

Photo by Irkut.