Russia’s fully domestic MC-21 airliner passes first certification flight

Russia’s next-generation MC-21 passenger jet has completed its first certification flight, a key milestone in the country’s civilian aviation program. The test took place at the Gromov Flight Research Institute, where engineers assessed the aircraft’s stability, controllability, and domestically produced flight-control systems.

The MC-21 is being developed by Yakovlev under the United Aircraft Corporation and overseen by Rostec. Built entirely without foreign components, the aircraft reflects years of work to reduce reliance on Western suppliers following sanctions imposed in 2022.