Trio of Russian airliner prototypes complete icing tests – FlightGlobal

United Aircraft has wrapped up two weeks of natural icing tests in Arkhangelsk for three new aircraft models.

The Yakovlev MC-21 and SJ-100, as well as the Ilyushin Il-114-300, have been undertaking flights from the city’s Talagi airport over the course of 12-30 March.

Both the MC-21 and SJ-100 have already returned to Moscow Zhukovsky to continue certification work.

During the testing the aircraft have each spent 4-7h airborne over the White Sea coast in the area of the Kola peninsula.

The MC-21 carried out six flights and the SJ-100 nine, while the Il-114 undertook eight.

“Based on meteorological data, the crew searched for cloud cover, where conditions met the test programme requirements,” it adds.

“In the clouds, the crew used specialised equipment to monitor ice formation on the aircraft’s surfaces.”

Once the ice reached a required thickness the aircraft’s behaviour – stability, controllability and operation – was assessed.

The SJ-100 also performed three flights to evaluate approaches and go-around, and to test the stall-warning system.

United Aircraft says the test programme has been completed and the results show that, when flying in icing conditions, the aircraft “fully comply” with Russian and international aviation standards.