Spectra Aircraft (part of S7 Group), in cooperation with SibNIA, successfully conducted the first flight of the newest light-engine Tango aircraft with the domestic APD-520 engine. Test pilot of the 1st class Vladimir Barsuk was at the controls.
Tango performed a circuit flight and successfully landed at the departure airfield. All aircraft systems operated normally; the flight was carried out in full accordance with the mission.
Before Tango took to the air, S7 engineers tested the APD-520's operation on the ground. They started the power plant in various modes and measured the speed of RPM gain.
The Tango's fuselage is 90% composed of composite materials. The aircraft can be used for training civil aviation pilots, and in the future – for sightseeing and tourist flights, aerial monitoring, and patrolling.
S7 Group holding plans to release three four-seater light-engine training aircraft Tango by the end of the year, noted Evgeny Bulkin, Head of Sales at Spectra Aircraft.