High pressure prevents Superjets from flying: not a problem for Boeing and Airbus

Russian SJJ-100 Superjet aircraft cannot operate in high atmospheric pressure, as the liner's barometric systems have narrow limits of permissible values compared to long-range and modern narrow-body aircraft.

Superjets are certified for operation in a specific range of atmospheric pressure. The Superjet 100 has a minimum limit of minus 1000 feet (about -305 meters) in barometric altitude, which the aircraft "sees" based on atmospheric pressure.

Aircraft systems start to "get confused"

At normal pressure of 1013 hPa at sea level, the aircraft "sees" zero altitude. At abnormally high pressure, such as was recorded in February 2025 at Pulkovo Airport, the aircraft "thinks" it is below sea level.

As a result, the Superjet 100 automatic systems exceed the limit values for safe operation, and the aircraft cannot function normally.

The engines installed on the Superjet 100 are not designed to operate in these conditions. At abnormally high pressure, the fuel system may deliver too much fuel. This increases the exhaust gas temperature, which can lead to overheating and engine shutdown.

Foreign aircraft have no problems

However, not all aircraft are vulnerable to such pressure. For example, the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-800 have wider permissible pressure limits, so their systems do not exceed certified limits.

Thus, sometimes the reason for the cancellation of Superjet 100 flights is not the fact of high pressure itself, but that the systems of these aircraft are not designed to fly in such conditions.

Earlierwww1.ru reported that Import-substituted SJ-100 aircraft have completed half of the certification program.

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