The flight test programme now consists of two Sukhoi Superjet 100 prototypes. Both aircraft have now completed over 90 flights, totaling 300 hours.
On 24 December, the second Sukhoi Superjet 100 prototype departed from the Komsomolsk factory runway and successfully flew 2h 30 min, , reaching an altitude of 6.000m.
The flight was captained by Leonid Chikunov and piloted by Nikolay Pushenko, both are Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company test-pilots. Leonid Chikunov, a pilot of the SSJ100 maiden flight in May 2008, joined SCAC in 2005. Prior to that, he was responsible for testing the Su-27 and Su-30 family aircraft at Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO). Throughout his flight career he has accumululated over 5200 flight hours, among which 650 flight were test hours.
Nikolay Pushenko a colleague of Alexander Yablontsev(SCAC’s chief test pilot) from the Buran Programme, started working for the Sukhoi Superjet 100 Project as a consultant for the Institute for Civil Aviation in 2005.. His aircraft track record includes all Tupolev and Antonov aircraft, with SSJ100 being the 34th aircraft he has flown. His maiden flight aboard aircraft SSJ100 occurred in late in June 2008.
The second prototype has recently joined the certification campaign with one of the most hazardous tests, designed to prove flutter safety. The high angles of attack and flutter safety tests reaffirm the aerodynamics perfection and airframe strength. They also measure the overall duration of the certification and specify operational margins.
Certification campaign
The first SSJ100 prototype has completed over 80 flights, totaling 250 hours. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 certification programme has now entered its second stage of high angle attack certification. Some perfections were introduced to the control system after the completion of the first stage. The aircraft now is being tested in what is referred to as “normal modeâ€, which represents the most advanced level of control system automation. This second stage of flight tests will also be performed by Alexander Yablontsev and Vladimir Biryukov, AR IAC test-pilot, an expert in trials on critical regimes. Vladimir Biryukov has been involved in numerous flight test campaigns for over 50 aircraft of both Russian and international origin.
Once in airlines’ fleet the aircraft will be routinely piloted by regular pilots, so the aircraft shall remain controllable in the reasonably widest flight envelope. Both test pilots have praised the aircraft, its aerodynamics in particular, which allow the aircraft to recover easily; the aircraft has also demonstrated how precisely and predictably it can respond to the pilot’s actions. The aircraft also warns the pilot of the stall, giving the pilot a clear and exact signal that further loss in speed can result in stall. The superior aerodynamics of the aircraft are another success in the control system.
The first test stage was performed in the minimal mode – the most complex mode for piloting – and the aircraft was rated highly by the pilots. Design practice shows that properly selected control laws do improve piloting performance increasing the SSJ100 flight safety.
Beyond test flights, the certification campaign is a thorough and challenging task to confirm all stress and fatigue data, as well as systems performance.
In October 2008 the Central Aerohydrodinamic Institute (TsAGI) launched the certification tests of the static aircraft in a designed load range. The loads applied to the static aircraft exceed the operational requirements by 1.5 times. These tests were conducted on the separate parts of the airframe, and demonstrate the strength characteristics match the values estimated during design phase of the program with an accuracy of 98%; and that the airframe meets the stringent weight limits.
The Siberian Research Aviation Institute (SibNIA), which completed assembly of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 prototype SN95006, which was shipped from Komsomolsk to Novosibirsk, where the airframe is now being fitted with loads and measurement systems. Fatigue tests are scheduled to confirm not only the airframe life cycle – 70 000 flight hours – but also to check the maintenance intervals anticipated for operation in airlines.
Production
The first two aircraft will perform two thirds of the certification flight tests. The flight test program consists of four aircraft, including two other prototypes – 95004 and 95005 – are currently in final assembly and being fitted with systems.
Contemporaneously the certification campaign, Komsomolsk is been involved in the production of the first aircraft to be delivered to the launch customer. To date, KnAAPO has completed joining the fuselage of the first “fleet†aircraft and wings assembly of SSJ100 SN95007 and is transferring it to the SCAC final assembly shop for fuselage/wing assembly and systems installation. Aircraft 8 is at the section assembly stage, the Aircraft 9 and 10are undergoing panel assembly; parts production for the Aircraft 11, which is the fifth aircraft delivered to the customer, has recently begun.
Customer Support
Headquartered in Venice (Italy) and with a branch already established in Moscow (Russian Federation), SuperJet International Customer Services is responsible for worldwide after-sales support for Sukhoi Superjet 100 Operators.
SuperJet International mission is to provide superior Customer Services to support Sukhoi Superjet 100 worldwide sales and to exceed Customer expectations.
To achieve this goal, SuperJet International is building a structured and efficient organization by gathering professional and experienced experts from around the globe, building a truly international team.
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SuperJet International Customer Services offer includes among the others:
SuperJet International will manage all Operators’ requests through its dedicated “Customer Care Center†as the focal contact point available 24 hours 7 days a week and its innovative and user-friendly web-portal.
The core of what SuperJet International Customer Services offer is the “Super Care Plan†(SCP), a comprehensive lifecycle pay-by-the-hour solution, designed to maximize aircraft availability and to guarantee cost control.
In its Basic version, SCP includes:
Further options available in addition to the basic SCP package are:
SuperJet International’s Airframe MRO policy is to provide the SSJ100 Operators worldwide with top class airframe maintenance services, establishing partnerships with well recognized MRO providers strategically located according to market needs. SuperJet International has already entered into a number of Letter of Intent with MRO facilities that will be duly authorized to perform line and base maintenance (including Air Works India Engg Pvt. Ltd, Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd., Finnair Plc, Aeroplex of Central Europe Ltd., Nayak Aircraft Services, Aveos Fleet Performance Inc.). The search for new potential MRO providers is continuously in progress. Authorized SSJ100 service centers will offer maintenance services as independent contractors. SJI will publish a Worldwide Authorized Service Centers Network booklet containing information such as service center location, normal business hours, and point of contact.
SuperJet International’s first Training Centre Organization will have two locations: Venice and Moscow. The first training device – Flight Navigation Procedure Training – has already been installed in Venice premises and SuperJet International has officially received from the competent Aviation Civil Authorities the Flight Training Organization (FTO) approval No. I/FTO/063. This approval certificate enables SuperJet International to carry out MCC (Multi Crew Coordination), MCCI (Instructors) and TRI/SFI (Instructor Theoretical) courses.
This milestone must be considered another step towards the “Type Rating†Training activity to support the entry into service of the new regional jet Sukhoi Superjet 100.
The training facilities in both Venice and Moscow, will be equipped with classrooms and training devices, such as Full Flight Simulators (FFS), which will be timely installed to support training.
SuperJet International is currently finalizing the agreement with the logistics provider, which will manage the spares distribution centres worldwide. The name of the selected partner, a European based worldwide leader in its area of business will be announced shortly. This partnership will enable SuperJet International to offer top-notch services to fit a versatile spectrum of Operators’ requirements.
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