Sukhoi’s SSJ100’s made its maiden flight yesterday for a 90-minute flight over its testing base at Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Russia. The aircraft was captained by Alexander Yablontsev, chief pilot of Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, and a test pilot Leonid Chikunov who took it through its paces including gaining the height of 1, 200 meters, completing a box pattern and landing. Yablontsev confirmed the high thrust-to-weight ratio and the sustainable operation of the aircraft engines and main systems. The test is woefully late but executives were pleased with the performance.
“I am happy,” said Yablontsev. “At last, after so many years we are here. We did it. I am very delighted that we are the first who have taken the new Russian jet off. This aircraft is a real success, and I can .”
Mikhail Pogosyan, Director General of Sukhoi Holding concurred. “Today is the most important day for us – we have virtually beaten the air with our own wings,” he said. “It has been a long way. The result we achieved – the first debut of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 in the sky – is really inspiring for aviators. Our team comprised of thousands of people from all over the world shares this big success. At the same time, there are a lot of things to do - certification tests are ahead.”
The 100-seat aircraft is being marketed with the help of Alenia Aeronautica which holds a 25 percent stake in the project. “Participating in the SSJ 100 program is a great opportunity for us to capitalize the technical and commercial know-how previously acquired by Alenia Aeronautica in the regional aircraft market sector,” said Alenia Aeronautica CEO Giovanni Bertolone alluding to the company’s work on the ATR program. “Alenia Aeronautica thinks that the strategic investment in SCAC and the partnership with Sukhoi in the new joint venture Superjet International for the sales and after sales of the new aircraft, will bring long term success in a high competitive market."
In January, former President Vladimir Putin okayed the partnership betweek Sukhoi and Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company, in which Alenia acquired 25 percent plus one share of the Sukhoi Civil Aviation Compnay (SCAC), the company established by Sukhoi Holding for the design, production, marketing, certification and delivery of the Superjet 100 regional jet family. It paved the way for non-Russian citizens to join the board. The action breaks through the 25 percent ceiling imposed under the Russian current legislation on the share ownership of Russian strategic companies, such as those in the aeronautics industry, by non-Russian entities. Related Story
“The Presidential Decree is another significant milestone for Sukhoi and Alenia strategic partnership sealed by the General Agreement signed at Le-Bourget 2007,” said Sukhoi Holding CEO Mikhail Pogosyan.
Alenia Aeronautica and Sukhoi have also created Superjet International, a new joint venture (51 percent Alenia Aeronautica and 49 percent Sukhoi), based in Venice, responsible for the marketing, sales and delivery of the Superjet 100 on all the Western markets and of the worldwide after-sales support of the aircraft. Superjet International is also responsible for the design of the VIP and cargo versions of the aircraft.