Paul Duffy/MOSCOW
Ilyushin expects the freighter version of the Pratt & Whitney PW2337-powered Il-96, the -96T, to receive US Federal Aviation Administration certification by October, but the US engine manufacturer is less optimistic.
The Il-96T recently received Russian/CIS certification for operation by CIS airlines, but deliveries cannot begin until FAA approval has been received, as the orders for the aircraft are being funded by the US Exim Bank. It is understood that some software glitches on the Il-96T may not be fully resolved by October, but Ilyushin wants six months of operational experience to resolve them.
P&W says it does not expect certification until the beginning of next year at the earliest, and sources suggest that even this may be optimistic. Meanwhile, Ilyushin is aiming to deliver the first aircraft to Aeroflot Russian Airlines in mid-November.
Russian certification process for the Il-96M passenger variant cannot proceed further until a production aircraft is flown.
The one example in existence was created by the conversion of an Il-96-300 prototype.
Source: Flight International
