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The first prototype of the SJ100 serial
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97001 has achieved a significant
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milestone in its development with the
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successful completion of a critical
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flight that was specifically designed to
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assess its new automatic control system
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The crew conducted a comprehensive
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assessment of the ACS across a wide
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spectrum of operational conditions
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during this particular flight, which
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lasted 4 hours and 10 minutes. The
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systems capabilities were rigorously
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tested in realworld scenarios by flying
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the aircraft at speeds spanning from the
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minimum allowable to 310 knots and Mach
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0.81 and at altitudes of up to 12,200 m,
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approximately 40,000 ft. The crew
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concentrated on the testing of the
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fundamental automation modes that are
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indispensable for modern passenger
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aircraft during the flight. These
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covered altitude climb, level flight,
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descent, turns to a predetermined
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course, and flight at a predetermined
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vertical speed to guarantee that the ACS
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could meet the requirements of both
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routine and complex flight operations.
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Each of these modes was assessed for
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precision, reliability, and
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responsiveness. The crew's favorable
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evaluation suggests that the system
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functioned as intended, thereby
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establishing a strong foundation for
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future certification activities. The ACS
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is a major technological advancement for
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the SJ100 program. The system was
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created in partnership with prominent
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Russian aerospace institutions and is
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intended to offer auto throttle
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management as well as automatic and
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director flight control. Its algorithms
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are comparable to those of other modern
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airliners, allowing for the
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implementation of features such as
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director control during launch and
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complete automation during all other
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flight phases. It is crucial to note
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that the ACS is capable of supporting
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automatic landings in CAT 3B conditions.
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This enables the aircraft to land safely
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in exceedingly low visibility situations
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such as cloud ceilings below 50 ft and
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runway visual ranges as low as 50 m.
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Additionally, the system oversees
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automatic alignment, touchdown, and
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directional control along the runway
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center line, thereby increasing
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operational flexibility and safety. The
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ACS was subjected to rigorous
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groundbased testing using an electronic
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bird integration test platform prior to
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being installed on the aircraft. This
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enabled engineers and test pilots to
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verify the systems functionality and
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resolve any potential issues prior to
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conducting actual flight tests. The most
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recent flight signifies the transition
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from ground to in-aircraft testing,
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which is a critical step in the process
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of achieving full system certification.
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The flight also evaluated the ACS and
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tested updated software that enhances
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flight safety and expands the systems
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functionality as well as improvements to
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the aircraft's navigation equipment and
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personnel interface. This successful
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flight is a component of a more
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comprehensive and ambitious testing
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program for the SJ 100, which is
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designed to supplant imported systems
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with domestically produced alternatives
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as part of Russia's import substitution
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initiative. By the end of 2025, the test
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program is anticipated to include
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approximately 200 flights, guaranteeing
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that the aircraft, including the ACS,
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undergo a comprehensive evaluation prior
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to its entry into commercial service.
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The prototype is presently powered by
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PowerJet SM146 engines. However,
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production models will be equipped with
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Evadvigal PD8 engines manufactured in
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Russia, further emphasizing the
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transition to domestic components.
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Before the development and introduction
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of the new domestically produced ACS for
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the SJ 100, the Sukcoy Superjet 100 was
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equipped with an autopilot and flight
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control system that was mainly sourced
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from Western suppliers, most notably
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Thalis and Leehur Aerospace. The
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original SSJ 100 was the first aircraft
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in its category to incorporate an
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entirely electronic flybywire FBW
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control system. The Thales designed
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avionics suite was integrated with
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advanced autopilot functions in this
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system which provided modern automation
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features such as envelope protection,
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automatic deployment, retraction of high
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lift devices, and numerous autopilot
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modes for each phase of flight. In an
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effort to either equal or enhance the
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standards established by Airbus's FBW
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systems, the flight control laws and
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autopilot logic were developed by the
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Sukcoy Civil Aircraft Company in
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partnership with Leehair Aerospace. The
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autopilot in the earlier SSJ100s enabled
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automated control during a routine
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flight which included altitude hold,
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heading select, and basic approach
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modes. However, its capabilities were
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restricted to ICO category 3A
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approaches. not the more challenging CAT
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3B category that the new Russian ACS now
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targets. The original system was also
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closely integrated with Western avionics
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and navigation components which are
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currently being replaced in the
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Russified SJ100 as a result of import
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substitution policies. Now, do you think
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the Superjet has the best FBW system in
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its class? Please let us know in the
5:29
comments. Please like, subscribe, and
5:31
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5:34
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