Il-114-300 turboprop finishes hot-weather trials in Uzbekistan

United Aircraft's Ilyushin Il-114-300 has finished a round of hot-weather testing at Bukhara airport in Uzbekistan, Russian state technology firm Rostec said. Temperatures during the trials reached 42°C.

Rostec said the campaign involved 22 flights and more than 30 hours of flying time. Take-off and landing performance was a particular focus. Five aborted take-offs were carried out, including tests that simulated heavily worn brake discs.

The twin-turboprop received initial certification from Russian regulator Rosaviatsia in June. Rostec said results from the Bukhara tests, together with earlier cold-weather trials conducted in the Sakha republic, would be submitted to aviation authorities to support an expansion of the aircraft's existing type certificate.

Deputy industry minister Gennady Abramenkov said the data gathered would help confirm the aircraft's suitability for a broader range of climates.

The Il-114-300 uses domestically produced engines and avionics, along with a digital flight and navigation system. This reflects Russia's push to develop aircraft components independent of foreign suppliers. Rostec said three initial production aircraft are currently at various stages of completion, though it gave no timeline for delivery or entry into service.