The new Russian MC-21 aircraft differs significantly from Western Airbus and Boeing counterparts in a number of aircraft control characteristics. Andrey Voropaev, a test pilot at the A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau, revealed the features of the onboard system.
Joysticks Instead of a Steering Wheel
At first glance, everything in the MC-21 cockpit looks and operates in the same way as in Western counterparts. There are traditional controls - stick, pedals, control knobs and mechanization, and a nose landing gear control knob.
There are no steering wheels in the cockpit, but there are joysticks. Their logic differs markedly from Western models. The joysticks in the MC-21 allow you to do something that no one does on foreign aircraft - "linked handles."
At the stage of introducing young pilots, or those who have switched from other types of aircraft, it is possible to demonstrate the correctness of movements and, the next point, to provide assistance. As on all training aircraft with dual controls, the instructor first leads the demonstration, and then joint training.
Tests are in Full Swing
The MC-21, equipped with new Russian systems, has already begun certification tests, Rostec reported. The flight took place from the airfield of the Gromov Flight Research Institute in Zhukovsky, the crew tested radio communication equipment.
In total, the designers managed to replace more than 80 foreign-made units, right down to the buttons and aircraft seats. Industry has proven that it can take a punch, emphasized Oleg Evtushenko, Executive Director of Rostec.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that the Ansat took to the skies for the first time with domestic VK-650V engines.
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