United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) of Russia plans to use a recently restored Tupolev Tu-214 to advance its efforts in developing a two-pilot cockpit for this model. Currently, the aircraft requires three crew members in the flight deck.
The aerospace company announced this initiative as the aircraft began a flight program to test locally developed components aimed at modernizing this twin-engine plane, according to our associated media partner, AEROIN.
United Aircraft reported that the Tu-214, registered as 64509, performed a flight lasting 1 hour and 10 minutes from the Kazan aviation plant with a Tupolev test crew. During the flight, various locally manufactured components were evaluated to replace older parts.
“We will continue with flight tests, modernization, and development of the Tu-214 platform, including the creation of a two-crew cockpit,” stated Tupolev’s general director, Konstantin Timofeev. Currently, three crew members are required to operate the aircraft.
Equipped with Aviadvigatel PS-90A engines, the Tu-214 was previously operated by Transaero before being retired and stored in 2015. United Aircraft restored the aircraft to airworthy condition, transforming it into a “flying laboratory.” In July, it was repainted in Minsk before returning to Kazan for the installation of new equipment.
The revival of Tu-214 production for the aviation sector is part of a strategy to ensure sufficient jet aircraft capacity for Russian airlines, complementing new programs like the Yakovlev MC-21 and the SJ-100, as the country faces international sanctions following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
UAC has announced plans to increase Tu-214 production to 10 aircraft per year by 2025/26, with the goal of reaching 20 units annually by 2027.
