The maiden flight of 16-seat light multi-role Rysachok aircraft is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015, Interfax reports with reference to a source close to the military-industrial sector.

"At present five Rysachok aircraft are under construction: three of them will feature a 16-seat configuration and the rest two ones – 10-seat configuration. The first 16-seat liner will perform its maiden flight in the first quarter of 2015", - the source said.

According to him, at first the aircraft will undergo flight development tests and then the certification testing will be started. "Almost all the results of certification tests passed by the 10-seat version of the aircraft will be recognized for testing of 16-seat version as well", - the source added.

Commenting the information that Russian Ministry of Defense issued a performance specification for the aircraft in spring, he said: "The Ministry did issue the performance specification and now it is being considered by the enterprise, because it will have to use own funds for development of this vehicle. The ministry is not going to finance the project".

It was reported earlier the Rysachok may be operated from unpaved runways with a soil strength of about 5,5 kg/sq.cm. Russian air forces plan to use Rysachok as a reconnaissance and patrol aircraft. The airliner is powered by М601F engines (Н80 for production vehicles) having a power of 750 (770) h.p. It is able to carry up to 10 passengers (production version will be fitted with 16 seats). Its range is 2000 km; cruise speed varies from 250 to 400 km/h.