EASA pilots have performed the first familiarization flights on Sukhoi Superjet 100 S/Ns 95001 and 95003, Superjet International announced today. Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCAC) test pilots Leonid Chikunov and Sergei Korostiev accompanied EASA/CEV (Flight Test Center, France) test pilot Philippe Castaigns and EASA/CEV flight test engineer Fabrice Butin in flying S/N 95001. The crew of 95003 consisted of EASA/CEV test pilot François Fabre and EASA/CEV flight test engineer Jean-Pierre Marre, along with Sukhoi pilots Alexander Yablontsev and Vadim Shirokikh.

SCAC has set S/N 95001 and S/N 95003 into aft and forward center-of-gravity positions, respectively. “Familiarization flight precedes the EASA certification flight-test campaign, and these two flights were a huge step forward in getting accustomed to these aircraft and setting the communication with SCAC team,” explained Fabre.

“We’ve managed to complete all flight tasks we’ve set earlier, single-engine exercise among them,” added Butin. “The first impression, according to EASA pilot feedback, is that the aircraft is easy to fly and comfortable to pilot. In terms of handling qualities, they [are] very close to what we are used to.”

The two flights marked a historic day in Russia’s aspirations to more fully integrate itself with the global aerospace community. SCAC plans concurrent certification testing for both Russian and EASA authorities. According to Superjet International, early “internationalization” of the SSJ100 project made simultaneous certification activity possible and will result in a smaller time gap between Russian and European certification, both expected by the end of the year.