Posted on 01/27/2010 10:40:08 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Russia's much-anticipated regional passenger aircraft, the Sukhoi Superjet, should be given flight certification by the summer, officials reportedly said Wednesday.
The Superjet, produced by Russian airline maker Sukhoi in association with Italy's Alenia Aeronautica, has been widely seen as Russia's chance to gain a competitive foothold in the international passenger airline market.
The jet, which seats 75 to 95 people, has a range of about 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) and is priced at $29 million a piece.
Superjet is designed compete against other regional craft such as the Embraer E-Jets and the Bombardier CRJ program. Locally, it will replace Russia's aging fleet of Soviet-designed Tu-134s and Yak-42s in moving people across Russia's vast spaces.
Sukhoi has orders for 122 aircraft from airlines across Europe and at home, where Russia's biggest carrier Aeroflot — which has ordered 30 Superjets — recently withdrew its creaking, Soviet-era Tu-154 fleet from service.
But persistent delays over the Superjet engines have set back delivery dates, making Wednesday's announcement by Industry Minister Viktor Khristenko a welcome development.
Khristenko told the parliament the Superjet 100 had gone through the final certification tests last year and is likely to receive a so-called type certificate in July, RIA Novosti and ITAR-Tass reported.
"The granting of the type certificate is scheduled for July 2010," he was quoted as saying.
A type certificate is awarded to a manufacturer to certify that a plane's design fulfills current requirements for aircraft safety standards. The certificate, which clears the way for Superjet to be delivered and used by Russian airlines, is awarded by Russia's Aviation Register of the Interstate Aviation Committee. The company is also applying for an EU certificate.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
What is the deal? Why call it a Superjet? Is it because it can go a long distance? Is it fast? What?
The three variants were originally called the RRJ-60, RRJ-75 and RRJ-95, with the numbers designating the average passenger capacity of each type. However, with the renaming of the project to Superjet 100, the RRJ-75 was relabelled the Superjet 100.
Probably just a name. Why do Boeing and Airbus have the naming conventions that they do?
Ok, so I guess I was wrong. :)
What is interesting is there 95 seats on the Superjet 100
Because it's way more modern and cost effective than a TU-134 or Yak-42. Have you ever been in a TU-134 or Yak-42? They also hope to sell it internationally.
If it would carry 105 passengers, they could call it the Super-duper Jet.
“Have you ever been in a TU-134 or Yak-42?”
Me, me, me...I’ve been in a TU-134, it is very simple and noisy to say the least. I have also traveled in a smaller propeller driven Antonov 140, with was quieter than the Tupolev.
Were you flying Aeroflot going to meet your mail order bride? lol
“Were you flying Aeroflot going to meet your mail order bride? lol”
Very funny, I get that a lot actually. I married a Russian but we met the normal way in person and by chance. And yes I was flying aeroflot going to Arkhangelsk then to the island of Solovkyi
Oops, I guess I am ‘that guy’ at the party with the big mouth and who is ill-informed. No judgments by me. Glad you have someone.
No worries, we all put our foot in our mouth every now and then.
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