FAA certifies engine for MC-21

The MC-21-300 version of the Russian new-generation narrow-body will be equipped with Prat & Whitney PW1431G geared turbofan engine (Photo by Pratt & Whitney)

US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified Pratt & Whitney’s PW1400G geared turbofan engine developed for the new-generation Russian narrow-body aircraft, the MC-21. No information of the Russian validation of the American certificate has been released yet.

The PW1431G model with 14.1 ton nominal thrust is designed for the MC-21-300, the 160-211-seat version of the aircraft. This is the version which is intended to be the first to start the flight-test program. Pratt & Whitney earlier said that the serial production of the PW1400G series will be launched by April 2017.

The second engine option for the MC-21, Russian-built PD-14, has not completed certification testing yet.

The MC-21 program is being developed by Irkut Corportation.  The roll-out of the first flying prototype is scheduled to take place in June this year, with the maiden flight expected before the year’s end. Certification is slated for 2017-2018. A shorter version of the aircraft, the MC-21-200 with 130-176 seats, is also in the works.