Aircraft

Sukhoi Superjet takes to the air

By Vladimir Karnozov

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 prototype finally took to the air on 19 May, initiating the twinjet's delayed flight-test programme.

The first flight of the 95-seat PowerJet SaM146-equipped 98-seater from the KnAAPO plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur in far eastern Russia lasted 1h 5min. At the controls were Sukhoi Civil Aircraft's chief test pilot Alexander Yablontsev and test pilot Leonid Chikunov. During the flight the SSJ climbed to 4,000ft (1,200m) and flew four passes over the runway at different heights. Sukhoi plans to use four aircraft in the flight-test programme.

© KnAPPO

"I can surely state that it is as easy to pilot as the Airbus or Boeing aircraft I have previously captained," says Yablontsev.

Sukhoi general director Mikhail Pogosyan describes the event as "a major milestone", saying that the programme is "literally 'on wing' again". He adds: "Ahead of us is a big and difficult task, that of certification trials. I am convinced we will manage it."

The first flight was originally scheduled to take place before the end of 2007, with deliveries due to begin to launch customer Aeroflot towards the end of 2008. However, the delay to flight testing means that service entry has slipped, with Sukhoi recently saying that the first delivery is now expected in the first quarter of next year.

© KnAPPO