The Sukhoi Superjet 100-95 aircraft is a domestic short-range aircraft . He is rightfully considered the pride of the Russian aviation industry. It was developed on the basis of the design bureau Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (closed joint-stock company GSS) together with foreign enterprises.
Development history
The development of the Sukhoi Superjet aircraft began in 2003, when GSS CJSC received a grant for the development of the Russian Regional Jet project, which amounted to about 3 billion US dollars. The assembly of the first model was completed in January 2007 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. On January 28 of the same year, he arrived for tests in the city of Zhukovsky. The presentation of the new aircraft took place on September 26 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
Flight tests were carried out throughout 2008. The first flight was performed on December 24 by test pilots Pushenko and Chikunov. The plane was in the sky for about 3 hours, and the maximum flight altitude was up to 6 kilometers. In 2008, the process of obtaining the IAC certificate began, which ended in February 2011. The Sukhoi Superjet 100-95 in 2009 was presented at the Le Bourget air show. In the same year, the first flight of this airliner equipped with a passenger cabin was completed.
The first production aircraft began to be operated by Armavia in 2011. In 2013, a new modification was developed with an increased flight range - 100LR. By 2018, it is planned to create an SSJ-100SV with an increased fuselage length.
Despite the fact that CJSC “GGS” survived two global economic crises in 2008 and 2015, the company continues to conclude multi-billion dollar contracts.
Design features
Sukhoi Superjet is designed according to the classic aerodynamic design and is a twin-engine turbofan low-wing. The wings are swept in shape and equipped with single-slotted flaps. Composite materials were used in the design of the nose fairing, mechanization, and root part of the wings. In the cockpit, the helm function is performed by the side control handle, the so-called sidestick. Designers are currently developing wingtips for both new models and existing ones. There are no mechanical shock absorbers in the design, since there is a protection system against touching the tail of the aircraft with the runway during take-off.
Which airlines operate the Superjet?
Sukhoi Superjet 100-95 is operated not only by Russian carriers, but also by foreign ones. Among domestic airline airlines - Aeroflot (26 units), Gazpromavia (10), Moskovia (3), Yakutia (2). Also, one aircraft belongs to Rosoboronexport, and two belong to the Russian Emergencies Ministry. This type of airliner is present in the fleets of the following foreign carriers:
- “Armavia” (Armenia) - 1 unit;
- Lao Central Airlines (Laos) - 1;
- Interjet (Mexico) - 20;
- Sky Aviation (Indonesia) - 3;
- “Deluxe” (Switzerland) - 1.
Prospects
Now the main competitor of the Sukhoi Superjet 100-95 aircraft in the air transportation market is the most popular American Boeing 737 airliner. According to statistics, around the world at a frequency of five seconds, one Boeing 737 is landing. Despite this, the domestic Superjet can compete with it, since its cost is significantly lower.
Now the aircraft are operated mainly by Russian and several foreign airlines. By 2025, analysts have predicted an increase in demand for SSJ aircraft around the world, so they will be operated in 26 countries. Even despite anti-Russian sanctions, some European carriers, such as Blue Panorama Airlines (Italy) and CityJet (Ireland), have already entered into supply contracts. However, the priority market for our country is Asian, not American. The manufacturer is constantly negotiating with airlines in the Asian region, in particular, specializing in low-cost flights.
"Sukhoi Superjet 100-95": the scheme of the cabin, the best places
The classic scheme of a two-class passenger cabin assumes the presence of 12 seats for passengers of the "business" class, and 75 - for the economic. A distinctive feature of the layout is the location of the seats - in a row there are 5 of them (2 on the left, 3 on the right). The on-board kitchen is at the beginning of the cabin. There are two toilets - in the tail and front of the aircraft.
The most convenient places are located on the 6th row. There is enough legroom here. In addition, there are no passengers in front of them. The seats located in the middle of the passenger compartment are also relatively comfortable because they have reclining backs. The distance between the seats is 81 centimeters.
The most uncomfortable places are the places of the extreme row near the toilets, since the partitions at the back do not allow the seats to fully recline.
Above is the standard layout. Each airline, depending on its needs, can change it.
Sukhoi Superjet 100-95: traveler reviews
Passenger reviews about the aircraft are both good and not very good. Among the positive aspects of an airliner are:
- Wide and spacious lounge.
- Comfortable wide soft passenger seats.
- The novelty of the aircraft.
Among the shortcomings, passengers note:
- Poor sound insulation system.
- Narrow aisles;
- Lack of individual ventilation system.
- Strong vibration of the floor.
- Squeaking on landing.
- Extraneous sounds during the flight.
- There are few emergency exits (compared to Boeings and Airbuses).
- Inconvenient location of emergency exits.
- There is no partition between service salons - there are only curtains.
- Constant delays for technical reasons.
The Sukhoi Superjet 100-95 is the national pride of the Russian aviation industry, because it is the first aircraft developed in the post-Soviet era. During its development, modern digital technologies are used. In the near future, more than 150 aircraft will be manufactured and delivered for Russian and foreign airlines. The airliner is focused on regional transportation of low traffic with a range of up to 4000 kilometers. Passengers flying on the Superjet note that the aircraft needs to be further developed.