Sukhoi Superjet could face long flight-test delay

Sukhoi Superjet 100 flight-testing could be delayed until the middle of the year, with programme managers blaming the hold-up partly on the powerplant's test effort, which is behind schedule.
When the SSJ prototype was rolled out on 26 September, the airframer declared that aircraft was due to fly before the end of 2007. With that target missed, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCAC) declines to reveal when the aircraft will now fly, although unofficially Sukhoi managers say that the goal is to complete the maiden flight in February. However this new target is widely considered optimistic, and some observers believe the prototype could remain grounded until May or June.
Mikhail Pogosyan, general manager of SCAC parent Sukhoi Aviation Holding, told Flight International that the SSJ will fly as soon as it is ready: "The date will be determined once ongoing ground tests and flight-testing of the SSJ's [PowerJet] SaM146 engines have been completed."
Singapore is being favoured by Sukhoi for the location of the SSJ's support centre in South-East Asia. Says Pogosyan. He adds that the final decision will be driven by which country in the region is the first to place a worthwhile order.
"We are negotiating with carriers from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam," says Pogosyan, who adds that Sukhoi would consider offset programmes with local manufacturers.
09/01/08 Vladimir Karnozov/Flightglobal.com/Flight International

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Categories: Foreign Jan 2008, New Jan 2008