SUPERJET COMPLETES HIGH-ALTITUDE TESTS
Gregory Polek

Aviation International News
Sept 23 2009

The second Sukhoi Superjet SSJ100 successfully completed its
high-altitude flight test campaign in Armenia this week, Sukhoi
Civil Aircraft (SCAC) announced yesterday. According to SCAC, the
tests confirmed all design takeoff and landing characteristics and
ensure safe and reliable operation from airfields situated as high
as 10,000 feet.

On September 21, S/N 95003 landed at SCAC’s flight test center in
Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, after executing a series of tests from
Shirak International Airport in Gyumri, Armenia, which sits at 5,000
feet. Built in 1961, the airfield now meets ICAO first class airport
requirements after a 2007 upgrade, although surrounding mountains
allow takeoffs and landings on its 10,564-foot runway only from its
southern side.

Performed by SCAC senior test pilot Alexander Yablontsev, test pilot
Vadim Shirokikh with the help of CIS Interstate Aviation Committee
(MAK) test pilot Mikhail Torokhov, the program of tests included
continued takeoff and one-engine inoperative (OEI) missed approach
flights. The crew performed the majority of takeoffs with one engine
at maximum takeoff weights.

Sukhoi expects the Superjet to gain domestic certification by the
end of the year and to deliver the first airplane to launch customer
Aeroflot early next year.