MC-21 horizontal stabilizer undergoes 60 thousand flight cycles
30 August 2017
Specialists of the the Zhukovsky Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI, a member of the National Research Center “Institute named after N.E.Zhukovsky”) held MC-21-300 horizontal stabilizer (tailplane) endurance tests through 60 thousand flight cycles, which is equal to one design service life. PJSC “Irkut” Corporation is the lead developer.
Before the testing, TsAGI’s engineers subjected the tailplane torque box to several standard impact damages that might occur during the operation of the aircraft. No new damages were found, nor deterioration of existing defects after the tests, which demonstrated the high degree of reliability of these products in the initial stages of their operation.
Horizontal stabilizer torque box endurance tests continue at the present time. In order to ensure a high level of reliability of the construction, 120 thousand flight cycles will be required. According to preliminary estimates, this testing will take about two years.