The aircraft is being tested with new engine firmware
It was previously reported that the newest MS-21 passenger aircraft with a Russian glider turned out to be heavy, which is why the maximum altitude to which it can rise is limited to only 7000 meters. However, on March 12, tests took place, during which the MS-21 with PD-14 engines was at altitudes from 9750 to 12200 meters.
The MS-21 was tested with the new software of the electronic digital engine control system PD-14. Whether the climb from altitude is related to the new firmware, or whether the plane is already capable of staying at high altitudes far beyond 7000 meters is unknown. On March 12, the test flight lasted more than 5 hours. And on March 14, the aircraft was tested for more than three hours with the new engine software at low altitudes (no more than 3000 meters).
«The first flight took place at high altitudes, in the second the excess thrust at the ground was assessed: acceleration and deceleration were performed in different configurations during takeoff with a maximum weight of », – said the interlocutor of «Russian Aviation».