The experimental Il-114-300 aircraft arrived in Uzbekistan to conduct certification tests in extremely high temperatures. Flights in the Bukhara region are intended to confirm the possibility of operating the liner in heat above +40 °C and serve as a basis for expanding the restrictions currently in force in the type certificate.

On July 28, experimental aircraft 54116 completed a non-stop flight from Zhukovsky, Moscow region, to Bukhara. The aircraft covered the route of about 2650 kilometers in 5 hours and 5 minutes.

The Bukhara region was chosen for the tests, where a dry desert climate with air temperatures around +40…+41 °C persists in summer. These conditions allow checking the operation of all aircraft systems under maximum thermal loads and confirming its characteristics for operation in hot regions.

Earlier, Daniil Brenerman, Managing Director of PAO "Il", reported that the summer program of additional certification tests provides for the removal of restrictions on flights at high temperatures. Then, in late summer - early autumn, the Il-114-300 will have to undergo tests on unpaved runways to confirm the possibility of operation from unprepared airfields.

In addition, the aircraft must confirm compliance with ICAO Category II landing requirements. After the program is completed, the results will be sent to the Aviation Register of Russia for amendments to the type certificate data sheet.

Currently, the Il-114-300 is certified for operation at ambient temperatures from -9 to +25 °C. There are also restrictions on the altitude of airfields – from 300 meters below sea level to 1000 meters above sea level – and on the geographical operating zone, which is currently limited to latitudes up to ±70°. As additional tests are completed, these restrictions are planned to be expanded.