Key Takeaways
• MC-21 prototype landed at Moscow Zhukovsky airfield for certification test flights, featuring over 80 Russian-made systems.
• Certification expected by late summer or autumn 2026 due to challenges replacing imported parts with Russian alternatives.
• Updated MC-21 uses Aviadvigatel PD-14 engines, marking a shift from American Pratt & Whitney engines under import substitution policy.
A prototype of the Yakovlev MC-21, which has been updated to run almost entirely on Russian-made equipment, landed at Moscow Zhukovsky airfield for its next big step—certification test flights. This is an important event for Russia 🇷🇺, showing how the country aims to become less dependent on foreign technology, especially in aviation, because of ongoing sanctions from other countries.
What Is the MC-21 and Why Does It Matter?
The MC-21 is a new type of passenger airplane developed by the Russian company Yakovlev. It is designed to compete directly with well-known aircraft like Boeing’s narrow-body jets and the Airbus A320neo. However, because of sanctions that made it harder to get parts from outside Russia 🇷🇺, the country decided to replace more than 80 major systems in the MC-21 with Russian-made versions. This makes the airliner one of the most “import-free” planes in modern Russian history.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this move is not just about building a new kind of airplane. It also shows Russia’s 🇷🇺 effort to protect its aviation industry from future risks and keep its technology in the country.
The Modified MC-21’s Journey to Moscow Zhukovsky Airfield
The particular plane taking part in these important flights is a prototype MC-21 with tail number 73055. Here’s what’s new about it:
- Russian-Built Systems: The aircraft now uses homegrown avionics, which are the onboard systems that control navigation and flying. It also has new Russian radio equipment, power units, systems to keep the air inside fresh and stable, lighting consoles, and made-in-Russia landing gear and hydraulic parts.
- Engine Change: In earlier test versions, the MC-21 used engines made by the American company Pratt & Whitney. This improved model now runs on Russian Aviadvigatel PD-14 engines, marking it as the MC-21-310 variant.
- Test Flight Details: The first flight after this makeover started in Irkutsk on April 29, 2025. The plane stayed in the air for over one hour, reached around 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) in height, and flew faster than 310 knots (about 580 kilometers per hour).
Bringing the plane to Moscow Zhukovsky airfield signals the beginning of formal certification test flights, which are required before a plane can start regular service. The airport itself is famous for aircraft development and will serve as the main stage for these crucial tests.
Why Certification Test Flights Are So Important
Every new or changed aircraft must pass a series of rigorous flights—called certification test flights—before it can be approved for commercial use. These tests check how the plane, its engines, electronics, and all other systems behave under real-world conditions.
For the MC-21, passing these tests is even more meaningful. More than 80 systems were replaced as part of an import substitution program, from navigation to brakes, and power supply components. All these need to be checked and proven safe and reliable. According to Rostec’s Oleg Yevtushenko:
“This first flight brings us one step closer to certification and the start of deliveries… [with] around 80 systems replaced.” [5]
This underlines how far the project has come in making the MC-21 a showcase for Russian-made technology.
The Process: What Happens Next?
At Zhukovsky, Moscow’s main technical test airfield, the MC-21 will first complete what are called factory development tests. These flights allow engineers to put the new Russian equipment through all types of situations—different weather, varying loads, all sorts of emergencies—and see how it holds up. After this, the plane will move to formal certification trials overseen by Russia’s main aviation authorities.
Here is a simple breakdown of the process:
1. Development Test Flights: Test the aircraft with its new systems in various situations and gather detailed data.
2. Certification Test Flights: Bring the aviation authority in to follow strict standards and record each result.
3. Certification Review: Approve the aircraft if it passes all official safety and performance tests.
The aim is to fully validate the updated MC-21 so it can be produced for airlines in Russia 🇷🇺 (and possibly other countries in the future). You can find more about the steps involved in aircraft certification on the official Federal Air Transport Agency website.
What Is Import Substitution, and Why Is It Critical Now?
Import substitution is the process of replacing foreign goods or parts with ones made inside the country. This has moved to the top of the Russian government’s agenda due to two main reasons:
- Sanctions: Many Western countries have stopped trading certain aircraft parts with Russia 🇷🇺 after 2022, leading to serious shortages.
- Security: Building with only Russian-made parts makes the aviation industry less vulnerable to problems if more sanctions are placed in the future.
For the MC-21 project, that has meant finding Russian replacements for everything from complex computers and software to power units, brake systems, electrical wiring, and even the smallest fittings. Swapping these out means engineers must redesign some parts and do lots of tests to make sure nothing is missed.
Timeline: When Will the MC-21 Be Ready for Passengers?
Even though this new flight at Moscow Zhukovsky airfield is a big step, the project still has a way to go. Here are the key points on the timeline:
- Certification Goal: Officials hope to get full Russian certification for the updated MC-21 in late summer or autumn 2026. This is later than original plans, but delay was caused by the challenge of replacing imported parts and problems with international supply chains.
- Series Production: Only after certification is finished and all tests are passed can series production (meaning regular factory building of the plane) begin. The best estimate for this is sometime in calendar year 2026.
- Deliveries to Airlines: Once production ramps up, airlines in Russia 🇷🇺 could start receiving their new planes. Earlier plans for deliveries had to be pushed back for the same reasons.
How Does the MC-21 Stack up Against Its Rivals?
When the MC-21 finally enters service, it will face tough competition from popular Western aircraft like the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320neo. Both those planes are used by airlines around the world and have been in service for years, so they are proven designs.
The MC-21 stands out because:
– It now uses almost entirely Russian parts.
– It is built to handle Russia 🇷🇺’s unique weather and flying needs.
– The Russian government is supporting the project as a matter of national pride and technology growth.
At the same time, airlines outside Russia 🇷🇺 may worry about buying a plane that cannot get parts from multiple countries or that doesn’t have a worldwide support network. Still, the MC-21’s success in certification test flights may help show that Russian industry can break into a market once dominated by just a few global players.
What Challenges Remain?
While the flight to Moscow Zhukovsky airfield marks real progress, the MC-21 faces some tough hurdles before it can become a regular sight in Russian skies:
- Testing New Parts: Every new Russian-made system must be checked in every possible flying condition. If any part fails, it can cause more delays.
- Proving It’s Safe: Russian authorities will want to see data showing all systems work together for long periods. Unexpected bugs or failures could come up during tests.
- Getting Enough Materials: Even with import substitution, some raw materials or technology may still be hard for Russia 🇷🇺 to get.
- Convincing Airlines: Commercial airlines will want evidence that repairs, parts, and service will be available, and that the plane’s fuel efficiency and safety match global leaders.
What Does the Future Hold for MC-21 and Russian Aviation?
If the MC-21 passes all certification test flights and launches series production, Russia 🇷🇺 will have its first homegrown modern airliner able to fly on busy regional and domestic routes without foreign parts. This would be a huge step toward aviation independence and could encourage Russia 🇷🇺 to develop more aircraft with an eye on export sales in friendly countries.
At the same time, Russia’s 🇷🇺 focus on the MC-21 will give engineers and factories new skills and experience in designing complex technology, possibly helping other industries in the country as well.
Some analysts say the export chances of the MC-21 may be limited because most airlines around the world trust long-established planes from Western companies. But if the MC-21 shows it can be built, repaired, and flown safely and reliably, its market could grow, especially in countries looking to buy planes without needing U.S.-made parts.
Why Global Aviation Is Watching
The aviation industry world-wide is paying close attention to what happens next at Moscow Zhukovsky airfield. If Russia 🇷🇺 can field an all-domestic airliner—even under tough conditions and with limited access to Western tools—it could change the way other countries think about their own aviation programs.
Key points to watch over the coming years include:
– Will Russian-made systems for the MC-21 prove as reliable as Western versions during long certification test flights?
– Can series production keep up with demand, or will shortages of some technical parts cause further delays?
– Will pilots and airlines adapt easily to new Russian avionics and control systems?
– Could new sanctions or global political shifts make parts of the program easier or harder?
In Summary
The arrival of the modified MC-21 at Moscow Zhukovsky airfield and the start of official certification test flights show that Russia 🇷🇺 is serious about building a modern passenger plane without relying on foreign equipment. With over 80 systems switched to Russian technology, the project is both a technical achievement and a statement of self-reliance after years of working around, and being limited by, sanctions.
If the next stages—more test flights, reviews, and official certifications—go well, Russia 🇷🇺 will start series production and could deliver a homegrown airliner for its airlines by late 2026 or soon after. This could mark a new era not just for Russian aviation, but also for how countries see control over their own critical industries.
For more updates on the MC-21, certification test flights, or other official announcements, you can check the Russian government’s aviation agency website.
As Russia 🇷🇺 moves forward step by step, the world will be watching what happens next in the story of the MC-21 and its journey through the skies.
Learn Today
Certification Test Flights → Official flights conducted to verify that an aircraft meets safety and performance standards before commercial use is approved.
Import Substitution → Replacing foreign-made products or parts with domestically produced alternatives, often as a response to trade restrictions or sanctions.
Avionics → Electronic systems used in aircraft, including navigation, communication, and control instruments vital for operation and safety.
Aviadvigatel PD-14 → A Russian-developed jet engine designed to power the MC-21, replacing imported engines previously used in prototype models.
Zhukovsky Airfield → A major Russian airport near Moscow used primarily for aircraft testing, research, development, and official certification processes.
This Article in a Nutshell
Russia’s MC-21 prototype reached Moscow Zhukovsky airfield for crucial certification test flights after replacing over 80 systems with Russian-made versions. This major step signals Russia’s drive for aviation self-sufficiency amid sanctions and could redefine the global market if certification succeeds, with first airline deliveries targeted for 2026.
— By VisaVerge.com
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