Russia’s Il-114-300 regional turboprop has arrived in Uzbekistan for a new series of certification tests under extreme heat, Rostec said.
The aircraft flew nonstop from Zhukovsky, near Moscow, to Bukhara. The trip covered more than 2,700 km and lasted 6 hours and 15 minutes.
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UAC plans more than 30 flights in Uzbekistan. Engineers will evaluate the powerplant, avionics, auxiliary systems, cabin equipment and air-conditioning performance under high ambient temperatures.
The campaign follows cold-weather trials conducted in Russia’s far north several months ago. The two test phases are intended to verify that the aircraft can operate in very different climatic conditions before certification.
The Il-114-300 is nearing Russian certification after a prolonged development effort. UAC plans to use the 68-seat aircraft on regional routes and to replace older turboprops still operating within the country.
According to the manufacturer, the aircraft can fly about 1,400 km with a full passenger load. The Il-114-300 is powered by Russian-built engines and forms part of Moscow’s effort to reduce dependence on foreign aircraft and components.
