Another postponement of the certification of the Il-114-300 turboprop aircraft clearly indicates major systemic problems in the Russian aviation industry. At the same time, the aircraft, presented as new, is inferior even to the An-24, which took to the skies back in 1959, said Yury Zakharchenko, Executive Director of the RKK-Nauka trade union.
When Veterans Hold the Line, and New Recruits Are Still on the Runway
Head of Rosaviatsia Dmitry Yadrov confirmed a few days ago the postponement of Il-114-300 certification to 2026. It should be recalled that initially, mass production of the aircraft was planned to be launched in 2022.
Moreover, back in mid-September, Daniil Brenerman, Managing Director of the Il development company, promised that the aircraft would be certified before the end of 2025. Something must have happened after that.
Turboprop aircraft are designed to replace the outdated An-24 and An-26 on regional routes, for which it is increasingly difficult to maintain airworthiness due to the lack of components and wear.
Yuri Zakharchenko explained that the Il-114-300 is an import-substituted modification of the Il-114 developed back in the USSR. Mass production was carried out until 2012 in Tashkent with American engines. A significant number of elements had to be re-certified when production was launched in Russia. This also applies to the domestic ODK "Klimov" engines, which are installed on the Il-114-300.
Il-114-300 Is Still Learning, While Grandpa An-24 Is Already Carrying Grandchildren
According to the expert, the aircraft was not originally intended for passenger purposes at all. The Il-114-300 was assigned the functions of a repeater, a flying control center, and a radar reconnaissance aircraft.
Another problem is that the Il-114 is inferior in a number of parameters to the old An-24, which it is supposed to replace. First of all, these are take-off and landing characteristics - the aircraft becomes more demanding on the parameters of the airfield. All this leads to delays.
We'll Have to Wait - Until the "Veteran" Retires on Its Own
Yadrov added that Russian airlines have An-24/26 problems with maintaining airworthiness, but the regulator is forced to extend their operational life while waiting for a replacement.
The Il-114-300 has a capacity of 66 passengers and is an improved version of the basic Il-114-100 with more powerful TV7-117ST-01 engines. It was developed to replace the An-24/26 on local airlines, as well as foreign ATR 42/72, Bombardier Q300 and CRJ100/200.
It should be noted that the An-24 surpasses the Il-114-300 due to its rich history of operation. Many pilots and airlines have extensive practical experience with this aircraft.
Despite its age, the An-24 is considered a reliable aircraft, capable of taking off and landing even on unprepared airfields, and also has proven operational systems.
Earlier,www1.ru reported that new Russian tires for the chassis of MS-21 and SJ-100 aircraft have successfully passed certification.