United Engine Corporation (UEC) will start flight tests of the latest Russian PD-14 engine for MS-21 aircraft developed in Russia onboard the flying testbed in few months, RIA Novosti reports with reference to Deputy CEO of UEC Dmitry Kolodyazhniy.

In mid-June 2015 the head of Irkut Corporation Sales Department Valeri Lunkov said that Russian PD-14 engine developed by UEC will be installed on MS-21 jets delivered to Russian Ministry of Defense and other governmental agencies, while airliners delivered to other customers may also be powered by GTS engine (Pratt&Whitney, USA).

“The engine’s bench testing is being completed; a number of prototypes have already been assembled. Preparation of the flying testbed is underway and I hope that the flight tests will be started in a few months, because the engine must confirm its performance during flight,” Kolodyazhniy said.

He noted that the flight testing is essential for further certification of the engine. “We are going to certify the engine in compliance with requirements of both Russian and international standards,” he noted. At that he did not say, when the flight testing is going to be completed.