Russia's MC-21 cleared to carry 211 passengers

MOSCOW. Dec 28 (Interfax) - The Federal Air Transport Agency has approved the main change to the MC-21 type certificate, allowing the plane to carry 211 passengers, Rostec's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) press service said.

The approval is based on the results of ground tests for the emergency evacuation of passengers and crewmembers conducted by UAC's Yakovlev, the MC-21's developer. The tests were carried out on an aircraft with the densest passenger compartment layout. The evacuation of 211 passengers and crewmembers was successful.

"We managed to complete the emergency evacuation in less than 90 seconds, which is the time prescribed by aviation safety regulations. The actual time is 81.7 seconds. The test report was approved by the Russian Aviation Register. The Federal Air Transport Agency's approval of the main change to the type certificate will allow us to supply MC-21 planes to airlines in every configuration, including the largest one," the press service quoted UAC Deputy General Director for Civil Aviation, Yakovlev General Director Andrei Boginsky as saying.

The tests were held in the most difficult night time conditions, the use of half of the available emergency exits, and assigned genders and age of passengers. At least 40% of test participants were women, and at least 35% of passengers were older than 50. There were three dolls among the passengers simulating children younger than 24 months without individual seats on the plane.

The MC-21 certification was completed by the plane designer Yakovlev's deadlines, Federal Air Transport Agency Deputy Head Andrei Dobryakov said. "Our affiliates are working together with manufacturing enterprises to broaden the parameters of the MC-21's operation," he said.

MC-21 is a family of medium-haul planes for 163 to 211 passengers developed by Rostec enterprises. The delivery of 211-seat planes is due to begin in 2024 (they will be procured by Aeroflot), and serial production will start in 2025.