Initial production aircraft was delivered in 2011.
Russia’s federal regulator has approved a service-life extension to the original Yakovlev Superjet 100, taking it from 15 to 20 years.
The documentation issued by Rosaviatsia raises the number of cycles from 15,000 to 20,000 and the total flight time from 25,000h to 40,000h.
This change applies to both the baseline variant and the long-range version of the aircraft, which are fitted with PowerJet SaM146 engines.
“The new parameters confirm the aircraft’s design reliability and increase the designated service life,” says the Superjet programme’s chief designer, Vladimir Lavrov.
“Yakovlev continues to work to achieve the design indicators set for the [Superjet] family. The aim of this work is to meet airlines’ needs for the continued operation of this aircraft type.”
United Aircraft states that the service life is gradually extended until its design life is reached. The new limits are 40% of the design values, it adds.
“Service life extensions for the main structural components are determined based on calculations, life tests of full-scale structures, and operational experience, all conducted by the aircraft’s developer,” the company states.
Russian operators have 154 Superjet 100s in service. Certification work is still under way on the type’s successor, the SJ-100, which will have Aviadvigatel PD-8 engines and a greater number of domestically-produced components.
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