The first flight test aircraft of the Russian-built Irkut MC-21-300 narrow-body airliner has begun low-speed taxi testing prior to its first flight, the Irkut Corporation reported on May 16. High-speed taxi tests have not yet started.
The tests are being conducted at the company’s Irkutsk Aviation Plant flight test facility. First flight preparations are running to schedule, the Irkut Corporation said. The taxi testing is allowing testing of the brakes, engines and auxiliary power unit.
The first MC-21-300 flight test article was unveiled on April 28, and should make its maiden flight before the end of May.
May 17, 2017
