UAC celebrates two maiden flights
On 15 and 16 December, the United Aircraft Corporation of Russia celebrated two maiden flights of their products. First to fly was the latest version of the MC-21, the -310, which features Russian-made PD-14 engines.
The MC-21-300 is available with Pratt & Whitney PW1000G or Russian Aviadvigatel PD-14 engines. The aircraft flew for the first time on 28 May 2017 and the version with Western-engines is almost ready for its certification. The MC-21 is able to carry up to 211 passengers (single configuration) over a distance of up to 6,400 km. UAC is also developing a shortened -200 variant and a lenghtened version which will be dubbed the -400. A total of 175 MC-21s have been ordered, with Aeroflot being the largest customers for 50 MC-21-300s. First deliveries to a customer are expected for next year.
On 16 December, the Il-114-300 took to the skies for the first time. Although the Il-114 is not a new aircraft, production has been idle for years after a total of 20 Il-114s have been produced between 1996 and 2012. The new variant, the -300, features new engines and a slightly shorter fuselage. It will be available as a passenger aircraft for up to 68 passengers, a cargo version, an arctic version with ski's and as a maritime patrol aircraft. Currently, a total of 50 Il-114-300s have been ordered by Russia's State Transport Leasing Co. Of these 50, three are planned to go to Polar Airlines and an unspecified number to KrasAvia.
Photos by UAC.