- The year 2023 is an important milestone for the Superjet program. 15 years ago the first flight took place and in 2023 the first flight of an almost fully import-substituted machine will take place. The question is legitimate - when will we fly a fully import-substituted one, if it is already clear?

- We, as the designer and assembler of the aircraft and our entire cooperation, are working intensively on the import substitution program. As originally envisioned, this work has been divided into several stages. The first stage is the assembly, production and flights on the first prototype aircraft with a foreign propulsion system. Today we can already see the second prototype aircraft. It is with foreign components, but with a domestic engine. And the third prototype aircraft, which today is actually already assembled and waiting for the powerplant, a fully import-substituted version.

We expect that in the first quarter of 2024, the machine with foreign components and with a domestic engine will take to the air. Now there is a lot of work being done by our colleagues of engine builders to finalize the ground and part of the flight tests of the flying laboratory. The task is to be sure that the first flight will be safe.

Safety is always at the top of the agenda. The task that we will solve on this aircraft does not depend on the work of domestic systems. That is, on this airplane to work out the issues related to the engine and power plant. And in parallel to obtain the results of the possibility of remotorization of the existing fleet of aircraft that are in operation in the future with domestic power plant. These are the tasks that will be solved on this aircraft.

- Is there such a request from the operators?

- From operators and from leasing companies. Because everyone wants to understand the future. The life of an airplane is far beyond 20 years. Therefore, it is clear that foreign systems and units will run out of resource at some point, because foreign suppliers have stopped supporting their components, increasing resource and reliability. And our task is to make this process safe and convenient. We just have a program to install developed domestic components on the existing version of the Superjet aircraft and, as one of the directions, this is a future issue of remotorization to a domestic installation if necessary.

- So not only remotorization, but also replacement of other systems and components that were imported with those developed in Russia?

- Absolutely right. We have such a program. We are working on it. The money for the first stage of this program has been allocated. There are some components that are so-called pin-to-pin, which already fit into existing seats. And there are components that will require modification of the airplane design. Therefore, the first stage provides for about 36 components. This does not include the engine. And we are moving and working on this program.

- In general, the import substitution program required enterprises to cooperate, establish new production chains, some logistical chains, establish new friendships, establish new cooperation, maybe develop some new competencies. What can be said here, what changes did the Yakovlev Production Center require?

- The changes, first of all, required changes in the geometric dimensions of the airplane due to the installation of aerodynamic fins. The dimensions have increased, so it was necessary to change the production facilities in order to make the assembly process, on the one hand, more convenient and safe for the aircraft structure. On the other hand, during the previous period of aircraft production we have gained competence, knowledge and understanding of how to improve the production process and make it more efficient.

That is why we are adding additional space to the existing building in order to make a straight-through conveyor. This will allow us to become more flexible in production. The building of the flight test station, where we are now located, has been built. A second similar building will be built in order to improve the working conditions for employees here and to improve the quality of assembly.

Four aircraft will already be on flight tests at the same time.

- Yes. The challenge that we and our cooperation colleagues are facing, given the parallel launch of several programs, including Superjet, MC-21, and Tu-214, is a multiple increase in serialization and serial production of components. Therefore, today all cooperation enterprises are solving one of the key tasks - to establish rhythmic serial production under several programs. This is the main task after the development work.

- When are aircraft deliveries to domestic airlines expected under the MC-21 program?

- Today we are at the stage of installing domestic components on the first prototype aircraft, and the second aircraft is being built in parallel with it. We assume that in 2024 we will start certification tests and deliveries of the first six MC-21 aircraft at the end of the year. Just as with the Superjet program, in parallel with the development work, we are working on the production of serial models. This is a difficult, heavy task. But we understand why we are doing this, because the demand for our aircraft is very high in domestic airlines.

- If I'm not mistaken, 20 airplanes are planned for Superjet.

- Yes. 6 for the MC-21 and then double production every year.

- The airplanes will be received by Aurora and Aeroflot Group?

- The first MC-21 will go to Aeroflot Group. It will be flown by Rossiya Airlines.

- How you are now rebuilding, reorganizing, and yet continue to make airplanes is a monument. It's like living in an apartment and renovating it. Do you manage to do everything?

- We still have time. So far there is no such a big production rate, that is why we have planned to take advantage of the break, to make a reconstruction program as well.

- And to master unit assembly?

- Aggregate assembly, and the docking stand for dark wing parts, and hatches. It was decided to create a competence center for doors and hatches for three programs. These are MC-21, Superjet and IL-114. As of today, the first tooling for doors and hatches for the MC-21 program has already arrived. We have seen it, the work is organized, we approached the process of organizing production creatively. Several teams from the employees of the production center of Komsomolsk-on-Amur were created beforehand, which developed their production concepts and the best of them was selected by an internal commission. And also the head of this working group became the head of this workshop.

- As for the organization of the straight-through conveyor, we have always had the Yakovlev Production Center as a front-runner in terms of production improvements, so we hope that they will surprise us many times and perhaps become an example for cooperation partners.

- We also hope, we already see internal competition in a good way and that the Irkutsk Aviation Plant pays a lot of attention to the production program. The program of production support, improvements, where the shift assignment will be formed, where it will be possible to see in real time every day what has been done, how progress is being made in the construction of the aircraft, all this is very important for future customers. They will be able to monitor online how the production process is progressing.