From Russia With Love - Sukhoi Superjet 100 Now Certified
Friday, February 4, 2011 at 07:16PM 
(click pic for hi-res) Sukhoi Superjet 100 is now certified for service (photo: Sukhoi)
The Superjet 100 from Russia’s Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (25% owned by Italy’s Finmeccanica) has been experiencing the type of delays that seem to be the norm these days when developing a new airliner - and this one doesn’t even have an ‘8’ in the name! But the good news for Sukhoi is that on February 3, 2011, the airplane has been officially certified and is now approved for commercial service in Russia and the CIS (the Commonwealth of Independent States - a region comprised of many of the old Soviet countries). European and US certification will eventually follow. With about 170 orders currently on the books, the Superjet has a fighting chance of gaining the kind of traction needed to reach the 500 to 600 aircraft sold to attain profitability. You can get lots more certification details, including some info on the restrictions put on the airplane initially, by checking out this AW&ST article on the Superjet.
Sukhoi claims the almost-100-seat airplane will be cheaper to operate than the Embraer 190/195, and with a relatively low acquisition price believed to be around $32 million, it might be very competitive alternative. However, an all new airplane from a company without years and years of experience trying to please airlines might make it all harder than it looks on paper. And speaking of looks, the Superjet is a pretty good looking ride as you can see in this sweet air-to-air promo video below. I like it. And while the reports so far say it’s a great flying machine, the only thing I’d complain about is the engines look like they need to be moved outboard about 2 feet each... just for good looks. But, as is common practice, no one asked for my opinion : )
Reader Comments (2)
Look at the engines.
Small exhaust with no bypass.
Too loud for Europe.
Even in the promotional video, this thing sounded like a military bird. Way too loud with too much high frequency sound. They might get away with this in the former Eastern Bloc or China, but this bird will have to be re-engined before it can succeed in Europe or the US.
Haiku Guy- Well actually, the Superjet has high bypass turbofans that are produced by PowerJet which is a joint venture between France's Snecma and Russia's NPO Saturn. The airplane has been approved on noise levels by EASA so I wouldn't expect any troubles at all with it operating in Europe. And with Boeing participating in a variety of ways to help Sukhoi bring the airplane to the world market, I'd say the future looks pretty good for the airplane just the way it is at this point.