"The MS-21 is now the most promising of those that are being developed in Russia. The flight for 4.5 thousand kilometers from Irkutsk to Ulyanovsk solved two problems at once: it became one of the conditions of flight tests and transferred the experimental car to the airline, where further work will be carried out. Problem with this plane is, in principle, should not be – all the components and assemblies tested, the integrated model was tested in the "National research centre "Institute named after Zhukovsky".

Initially, all the problems with this liner rested in the sanctions ban on the supply of modern composite materials to Russia for the "black wing". As soon as our country has learned to get these alloys, there will be no more surprises with a promising machine. Moreover, the MS-21 is becoming a completely Russian development – we will not be able to block the supply, we can only rely on their strength and resources to launch the aircraft into mass production," - said the expert.

Aircraft Corporation "Irkut" published footage of the flight prototype passenger aircraft MS-21-300. The liner made a non-stop flight from Irkutsk to Ulyanovsk. As noted in the company's press release, the flight took place in the normal mode, the crew had no comments on the operation of the aircraft systems. In Ulyanovsk, the aircraft will be painted on serial technologies, after which it will fly to the airport of the Gromov LII "Ramenskoye" (Zhukovsky, Moscow region) to continue flight tests.

"Flight tests are held for at least two years – it is an extremely complex set of checks of both the aircraft as a whole and individual components and assemblies. For example, in the mandatory checks, the behavior of the machine in conditions of cold weather, rain, fog, heat. Artificially, no one can create such conditions, because we have to wait for different seasons and weather situations. In addition, the machines are sent to Siberia for testing in abnormal cold conditions.

Among other things, will have to check the "headaches" experienced instances on airworthiness and durability. First, the machine must fly a thousand hours, then two, after – five thousand. All this time, experts check the performance of all parts and assemblies. A list of errors and improvements, as well as a schedule of performance of each node – the number of failures for each thousand hours of flight. This is extremely hard work, on which the safety of people in the future depends," the General emphasizes.

Promising machineThe MS-21 is a medium-range aircraft. Is supposed to issue version of MS-21-200 (132-165 seats) and MS-21-300 (163-211 seats). It is also planned to create a version of the MS-21-400 (up to 250 seats). The liner in the MS-21-300 version first took off at the end of may 2017. The aircraft has a traditional aluminum fuselage, but the tail and wings are AeroComposite. They are made in Ulyanovsk, calling "black wing" - the natural color of the product. AeroComposite is a plastic reinforced with carbon fiber.

Thanks to this wing, the MS-21 can float in the air, reducing the load on the engines. Previously, Boeing and Airbus were at the forefront of this technology. But the Ulyanovsk plant has patented unique solutions that greatly reduce the cost of production. The car tested today will be exhibited at the MAKS-2019 aerospace salon. It is assumed that this will clearly demonstrate to customers and future passengers one of the most important competitive advantages of the Russian liner - an increased level of comfort.

"Today, Russia is working in several directions to provide itself with its own aircraft of all types, including transporters. This will allow the country to become independent in the aircraft industry from the technologies and components of the West, which, as it turned out, at any time can stop deliveries for political reasons. That is, the Russian Federation removes the strategic industry from the possible impact.

This is the right strategy, and the MS-21 is sure to prove its validity. I do not think that during the tests the liner will face serious problems – the Russian school of aviation has extensive experience in its own development and unique technical solutions. This means that the tests will bring the promising liner to perfection, so that it becomes a competitor to Western Boeing and Airbus.

And if we talk about brands, the MS-21 was originally developed as an aircraft design Bureau Yakovlev – "Yak-140". Why Russia decided to abandon the traditional brands known around the world, is not clear. "Yak", "Tu" and "su" in the world have earned a reputation as manufacturers of reliable, high-quality and inexpensive aircraft. And this authority can be transformed into export potential," concludes Vladimir Popov.