Russia’s first serial production Irkut MC-21 takes off

The first serial production Irkut MC-21, has completed its maiden flight.

The aircraft is the first of the type to feature domestically made composite wings and engines.

The maiden flight took place on 25 December, 2021 at the Irkutsk Northwest airport. The aircraft performed as expected, state conglomerate Rostec, which owns United Aircraft Corporation – the parent company of Irkut – stated.

“The first flight of the aircraft with the wing made of Russian composites proves: we did everything right, the MC-21 program is consistently and steadily moving forward, despite the sanctions and the unfair competition,” Denis Manturov, Russian minister of industry and trade, is quoted in Rostec press release.

The first prototype of the MC-21 completed its maiden flight in 2017. In December 2020 it flew with Russian-made Aviadvigatel PD-14 engines that replaced Pratt & Whitney PW1000G turbofans initially planned for the model.

The assembly of the first MC-21 with domestically-produced wings began in early 2021. The wings were fitted in July of the same year.

According to Rostec, the MC-21 is nearing the end of the certification process. The first serial production aircraft will be delivered to Rossiya, a subsidiary of Aeroflot. The delivery is scheduled to September 2022.