More than 700 guests and program participants gathered in a specially built hangar. Among them the honorary guests represented by Prime Minister of Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, Minister of Industry and Market Denis Manturov, the CEO of Rostec Сorporation Sergey Chemezov and other officials.

The president of «Irkut Corporation» Oleg Demchenko appeared with a welcome speech: «A few years ago we set before ourselves an ambitious goal- to build a passenger aircraft that would be competitive in the global market. We knew it was not going to be easy. And we decided to make a truly innovative product. We were able to put together a strong team of like-minded professionals. All the participants are the leaders of Russian and global aviation industry. We work together and we believe that MC-21 will be the best in its class. I would like to thank the government officials for the support that you’ve given to our project. Today I wold also like to thank designers, engineers, workers, technologies, the management of the companies involved and everybody who is working together with us in hundreds of organisations in Russia and across the world. We have put into this aircraft not only the latest technology but also our souls. I’m also grateful to our first customers who believed in our aircraft and in our team. Today we have an important landmark but we still have a first flight as well as flight and certification tests ahead of us. I’m happy that we have trusted partners and friends by our side. We have come a long way and here we are. Please, welcome MC-21!»

MС-21 includes all the latest developments in aircraft manufacturing and engine technology. Composite wing, larger diameter of the fuselage, up-to-date engines and systems guarantee competitive advantages of the aircraft which are lower operating costs, increased passenger comfort. Also the aircraft is eco-friendly.

MC-21 has high aerodynamic qualities. Mainly it has been achieved because of the high aspect ratio wing, made of polymer composite materials, which not only can improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft, but also significantly reduce the weight of the structure.

One of the key decisions of this project is the increased diameter of the fuselage with the possibility of rearranging interior of the aircraft for the different types of carriers. The widest fuselage in its class provides not only the increased comfort, but also a decreases boarding and passengers’ unloading time. Increased personal space in MC-21 significantly reduces flight-fatigue and ensures the level of the wide-body aircraft comfort for the passengers and the crew. Thanks to the spacious aisle passengers can move freely around the cabin when boarding and leaving the aircraft and during flight services. Modern air-conditioning system provides fresh air on board and three-zone temperature control sustains comfortable flight conditions for all passengers. The appliance of new engines and modern sound-proof materials significantly reduces the noise level in the cabin. Turning overhead stowage bins allow passengers to quickly and easily accommodate more carry-on baggage, and also bring more personal space above one’s head.

A welcome speech by the Prime Minister of Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev: «I heartily congratulate you with this long-awaited event for all our civil aviation, aviation industry, our country. Today we glance at MC-21 aircraft for the first time. It’s one of the most innovative aircrafts in the world - passenger aircraft of the 21st century. We are very proud that this aircraft has been created in our country. It is a huge victory for our aircraft manufacturers and «Irkut Corporation», for our scientists, engineers, designers, workers. Modern Russian aviation industry is being created with your hands, not of course without the government support, and it is leading our economy, our country forward. New projects in the aviation industry are quite expensive. There are quite a few nations who can allow themselves to develop aviation industry. We are in the major league which we cannot abandon. We are working for the future and will continue updating Russian civil aviation fleet. MC-21 is superior to all civil currently flying aircrafts in the same class by its technological characteristics. I am definitely sure, this will be a great airplane, efficient and reliable. Today’s event proves that we are capable to build such aircrafts. They promote not only our aircraft manufacturing industry but will compete with other countries. No doubt this is a brand new aircraft, and we have a very long way before MC-21 takes its rightful place in the world. It’s very important for us that not only our best domestic manufacturers take part in this project but also foreign companies. We welcome those countries who are working in Russia and achieve tremendous success with us. Of course, it is «work in progress» for now. A series of flight tests is waiting. The aircraft will take-off for the first time next year. I just want to say I’m absolutely convinced that this aircraft will become the pride of the Russian civil aviation. And our citizens and citizens of other countries will be happy to fly on MC-21. Once again I heartily congratulate everyone, who participated in creation of this aircraft. You’ve made a very big project true for our country!»

This aircraft is aligned to the most capacious segment of the global market. Two models  designed with a high degree of unification are included in the medium-haul MC-21 family. MC-21-200 is designed to carry 132 to 165 passengers, MC-21-300 - 163-211 passengers. The aircraft has not only the best performance characteristics, it is able to compete with global manufacturers in terms of price. Airbus A320 and A320neo family aircrafts cost $ 75,1-114,9 million and $ 98,5-125,7, depending on the model. The average price of a Boeing 737 aircraft in 2015 was $ 80,6-116,6 million, the catalogue price of MC-21 is about $ 90 million. Alongside with reduced fuel costs, airport and  aeronautical fees, environmental charges it should bring high investments’ return to the MC-21 customers.

MC-21 will have other advantages over existing and future-made aircrafts. After all, an airplane is a comprehensive market product, in addition to competitive performance characteristics. The formula to its success should include good financial package, residual value guarantee, operational efficiency and the quality of maintenance operations meaning low cost ownership, reliability and safety.

«Irkut Corporation» has formed a strong portfolio of firm orders up to 175 MC-21 aircrafts, as well as there are about 100 units pending. By the way, advance fees have already been received for all the firm orders. The sales’ volume of MC-21 can reach about 1 000 aircrafts in the next 20 years, it will amount 10% of the global single aisle aircrafts with the capacity of 140-230 seats. It is expected, that the first MC-21 operator will be «Aeroflot» (50 aircrafts are contracted) but among customers there are foreign companies as well. The «Irkut Corporation» CEO Oleg Demchenko mentioned that the start-up stock of orders was enough to ensure the next 5 years of corporation’s successful performance.

The mass production of MC-21 involves the construction of 72 aircrafts per year. It is assumed, the aircraft’s supply will begin in late 2018. «The aircraft’s certification will take 2 years. That’s why three prototypes will be made», -  says the vice-president of «Irkut Corporation» Kirill Budaev. The aircraft will be certified according to Russian and international standarts.

The President of the «United Aircraft Corporation» (UAC) Yuri Slusar: « The roll out of the aircraft is like meeting a newborn. Today we see fully-made aircraft which prepares for flight tests. I sincerely congratulate all those people who participated in its creation, tests. I am grateful to everyone who takes part in this difficult from all points of view and resource-intensive project. I want to thank all cooperant and potential customers. We have to use all the experience we gained during previous projects to promote this product on the market, including government support. Residual value guarantee, attractive loans, outbound financing are extremely important for the successful promotion on the external market. And not to mention the government support with the completion of the research and development work and obtaining type certificate of the aircraft. As part of this work we will manufacture 4 prototypes - two flyable, one for static trials, one for endurance testing. These are huge expenses! Huge investments have been made in factories’ technological re-equipment. This is not only Irkutsk Aviation Factory, but Ulyanovsk, Kazan,. Some competence centres have been established due to this project, mainly our «Aerocomposite» enterprises in Ulyanovsk and Kazan. Thanks to what we have produced a unique composite wing, the largest wing in its class. This has also become a significant investment in the corporation’s technological development».

The majority of enterprises of the «United Aircraft Corporation» (UAC) are involved in the MC-21 program. For instance, the unique and innovative composite wing and a number of other composite construction units are made on the «AeroComposite» factories in Ulyanovsk and Kazan «from the scratch». New enterprises are using the most advanced technology in the field of composite materials - non-autoclave method of vacuum infusion. It significantly reduces power consumption as compared to other similar facilities around the globe. It allows to produce whole one-piece high-aspect-ratio wings - up to 20 meters, also due to the high automation labor costs are reduced up to five times.

The aircraft is equipped with a set of a domestically developed avionics. «UAC - Aggregation Center» has developed a new aircraft avionics and domestic programmers have created the software core. The cockpit matches the «glass cockpit» concept. It is equipped with an indication system and displays flight information using wide-format multi-function 15-inch LCD displays, also active side-stick controllers provide pilots with necessary aerodynamic flight conditions feedback. On the windshield there is an option of the indication system which can increase the crew’s awareness and effectiveness during take-off and landing actions.

Integrated MС-21 flight control system is based on the most advanced remote control system (fly-by-wire), which significantly reduces the weight of the aircraft. Also there is integrated HUMS (Health & Usage Monitoring Systems) installed, which can monitor all aircraft  units’ technical condition in real time.

On «Aviastar-SP» in Ulyanovsk there are certain centres for the production of the fuselage panels,  hatches and doors. On VASO in Voronezh there has been developed the composite materials and engine nacelle manufacture. Gromov Flight Research Institute evaluation pilots conduct tests of the new domestically made engine PD-14 on a flying laboratory Il-76, modified by «Ilyushin Aviation Complex».

«Irkut Corporation» will provide all needed technical support throughout the whole life-cycle of the delivered MC-21 aircraft. The customers will have remote access to the operational documentation and manuals of the aircraft. Multilingual 24/7 Operational Centres will be set up to ensure efficient and smooth run of the customers’ aircrafts. A system of every sort of technical training, which includes full flight simulators, for all categories of aviation personnel (pilots, cabin crew, engineering staff) for MC-21 is being put into place as well.

«No doubt, we must ensure not only our domestic flights with our own aircrafts, but we have to enter the global market. We should steer all our manufacturers, including aircraft manufacturers, to achieve this sort of quality which is definitely going to compete with our partners globaly,» - said Vladimir Putin, answering a question about future projects in domestic aviation industry during his annual press conference.

Aircraft Family

Photo: Yulia Kuzmina