Russian airframer Irkut has completed fuselage assembly of the first MC-21 to be fitted with the domestically-built Aviadvigatel PD-14 engine.
Irkut states that the fuselage sections of this aircraft have been mated, and the work programme will turn to wing and empennage completion.
Four flight-test MC-21-300s have already been assembled, all of them powered by the Pratt & Whitney PW1400G.
But the PD-14, manufactured by Perm Motors, is available as an alternative option.
The powerplant secured Russian certification last year and two initial engines have been acquired by Irkut for MC-21 testing. Irkut is intending to obtain European Union Aviation Safety Agency approval for the powerplant.
Aviadvigatel says the PD-14 offers competitive advantages including lower exhaust temperatures and reduced drag through its smaller fan – the PD-14 fan is 190cm compared with 206cm for the PW1400G.
The PD-14 will deliver up to 137kN of thrust for take-off while the PW1400G is capable of 125-137kN.
Aviadvigatel is aiming to modify the engine as the PD-14A for the smaller MC-21-200 and the PD-14M for the proposed larger -400.
Aeroflot is among the customers potentially set to take the PD-14 version of the MC-21, as part of an order for 50 aircraft.
