Yekaterinburg, December 24 – The prototype light multi-role aircraft LMS-901 Baikal made its first flight with a completely domestic powerplant, combining a new turboprop engine VK-800 with an AV-901 propeller.
The tests took place at the airfield of the Ural Civil Aircraft Plant in Yekaterinburg as part of a joint flight test program.
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In its first flight with the new powerplant, the aircraft reached a speed of 210 km/h and an altitude of 400 meters. Prior to flight test clearance, a complete ground test cycle of the powerplant was conducted, including stability evaluation over the entire operating range of the engine, throttle response characteristics, verification of the operation of the propeller emergency shutdown and emergency reverse pitch mechanisms, as well as fuel delivery verification.
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According to the test flight pilot, the flight was conducted without incident. The aircraft demonstrated stability and good maneuverability within the established center of gravity, speed and altitude ranges. The propulsion system operated stably throughout the flight, and there were no notable issues.
Gennady Abramenkov, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Russian Federation, characterized the test as a strategic milestone. According to him, the flight confirmed the feasibility of developing a fully Russian aircraft with indigenous powerplants and demonstrated that it could meet an important national demand: expanding air transport connectivity and convenience throughout the country, including in difficult-to-reach areas. He also emphasized that engines of this power class had not been developed and produced domestically for several decades, calling this achievement particularly important for the Russian aviation industry.
VK-800 engine and AV-901 propeller
The VK-800 engine, developed by the Ural Works of Civil Aviation JSC, is designed for operation in harsh climatic conditions, a key requirement for missions in the Arctic, taiga and mountainous regions. Maximum power output is 807 to 870 horsepower, depending on the application, and modernization is envisioned to enable further power increases, paving the way for reengineering programs including the An-2 aircraft.
In addition to the LMS-901 Baikal, the VK-800 will also be installed on the UTS-800 training aircraft, the joint Russian-Belarusian regional aircraft LMS-192 Osway, as well as the re-engineering of operational L-410 aircraft.
The AV-901 propeller is a single-acting variable pitch (reverse pitch capable) propeller equipped with hydraulic control and a direct connection circuit. It can operate at up to 1,900 rpm, supports up to 877 horsepower, and has an estimated maximum thrust of at least 15 kN (approximately 1,400 kgf). The AV-901 is manufactured entirely from domestic materials and there is no direct equivalent in Russia. By reducing the number of control units, system weight is reduced and operational reliability is improved. Digital integration with the VK-800 engine control allows the power plant to operate in its optimum efficiency range, contributing to reduced fuel consumption and improved aircraft maneuverability.
Aircraft for remote areas
The LMS-901 Baikal is a nine-seat light utility aircraft designed for regional airlines. Offering high operational flexibility, the spacious cargo cabin can be quickly reconfigured for passenger, cargo, mail or medical missions. The objective of the program is to ensure reliable air transportation in regions of Russia with limited airport infrastructure, especially in the Far East and Far North.
With the successful first flight with indigenous engines and propellers, the Baikal program moves towards the certification of a complete Russian aviation platform, strengthening the country’s industrial independence in the field of light aircraft.
Source and image: minpromtorg.gov.ru. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
