There are about 2,000 light aircraft in flying condition in Russia for 145 million people, which is clearly not enough for the full development of small aviation. Sergey Detenyshev, Chairman of the Association of Small Aviation Enterprises, directly assesses the situation as critical.

At the same time, according to the expert, the problem is not limited to the shortage of new aircraft. Small aviation enterprises have to comply with numerous requirements for work organization, personnel, transport security, aviation medicine, and infrastructure, which makes the operation of light aircraft too expensive.

Against this background, the state expects to increase the fleet through new projects. In Nizhny Novgorod, it has been proposed to create a small aviation development center at the Sokol plant, where production of the 19-seat "Osvey" and work on the "Accord-201" could be organized. The preparation for the production of "Osvey" is estimated at approximately 6 billion rubles, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade is ready to participate in financing certification and other support measures.

However, Detenyshev draws a different conclusion from the situation: simply increasing aircraft production is not enough. In his opinion, the industry needs to revise excessive requirements and move to a more suitable regulatory model for small carriers, including self-regulation.

That is why "Baikal" and "Osvey" are not an independent solution to the problem. New aircraft can update the fleet, but without reducing barriers and the cost of their operation, small aviation risks remaining a small segment instead of mass regional transport.