MAPO MIG TO LAUNCH LARGE-SCALE PRODUCTION OF MIG-AT AIRCRAFT

MiG-AT’s electronics make it possible to change its characteristics to make them correspond to the type of aircraft that trainees are to fly. These may include Russia's MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27, France's Mirage-2000 and Rafale, or the United States F-15, F-16 and F-18.

– Two prototype aircraft are undergoing flight tests. The first is equipped with avionics made by France's Sextant Avionique, the other has Russian-made avionics, produced by Russian Avionics JSC. Both aircraft have Larzac engines built by the French companies Turbomeca and Snecma. The planes have made a total of 366 flights, accounting for 195 operating hours. Simultaneously, a Russian engine, RD-1700, is being developed. Design documentation on the engine has already been drawn up, technical preparation for its production carried out, and the engine's individual components have been made. 

The second prototype of MiG-AT aircraft was first displayed in August 1997 at Moscow's 3rd International Aerospace Show MAKS '97. Two months later it made its first test flight which continued 28 minutes. The plane was piloted by the chief pilot of the MIG Aircraft Research and Engineering Complex, Roman Taskayev. The flight program was fulfilled completely, and no problems arose. During testing, the plane reached an altitude of 5,000 meters and made several aerobatic maneuvers. 

During the testing of the first prototype, 14 foreign pilots from France, South Africa, India, Israel and some other countries participated in 20 flights. Their evaluations of the plane's performance were very high. 

– Could you cite a concrete example? Was there any criticism of the plane? Did the pilots suggest any changes in the aircraft design? 
   
– On September 18, 1997, Greek Air Force Colonel Dimitrius Heliotis flew the plane together with Russian test pilot, Marat Alykov. Heliotis was a member of a Greek delegation headed by the Deputy Chief of the Main Armaments Department Antonis Kandas, who came to Moscow to visit MAPO MIG. 

"I am very glad to have had an opportunity to fly this wonderful aircraft in Russia," Heliotis said upon landing. "I was surprised to see how fast g-load was achieved: after takeoff, at a low altitude, we made a very tight turn. The plane is very easy to operate. During the flight, we checked its capability of flying with only one operating engine and found that the plane flew as well as it did with two engines. It even made a loop with one engine operating!" 

Asked whether there was anything that he did not like in MiG-AT, the Greek pilot said no, adding only that the control stick was too small for his large hand. Heliotis praised the spacious cabin, which offers an excellent view and which he compared to a large veranda. One can see all the actions of the pilot in front, which is very important in a trainer. There was only one thing to which he was unaccustomed: unlike aircraft he was familiar with, brake controls in MiG-AT are on the control stick. 

The positive view expressed by the Greek ace, whose total flying time had reached 3,600 hours, confirms the already established opinion that MiG-AT is an excellent plane. It is perfect for both beginners and veteran pilots. Its electronics make it possible to change MiG-AT characteristics to make them correspond to the type of aircraft that trainees are to fly. These may include Russia's MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27, France's Mirage-2000 and Rafale, or the United States F-15, F-16 and F-18. 

The Greek pilot rightly pointed out the good view from the cabin, which is especially good from the rear cabin. This is intended to facilitate the difficult work of flight instructors who must control the entire flight process not only by instruments but also visually, keeping an eye on the trainee and suggesting ways to solve problems arising in flight. 

As for concrete remarks and proposals made by Russian and foreign pilots with regard to MiG-AT, they are being considered and introduced into the plane. 

– What do Russian pilots say about MiG-AT? 

– Roman Taskayev, who was first to fly the trainer, said: "MiG-AT has very good performance. It behaves the way it was expected to. The plane makes one wish to fly it more and more." 

The possibility of training future pilots has been tested at the Armavir Higher Flying School. Cadets, whose previous flying time had totaled only five to six hours, after a brief theoretical course and an introductory flight on the MiG-AT, were able to fly the plane on their own during the second flight. 

– The plane had been shown at several international airshows. In March 1998, it took part in an exhibition in Chile. What impression did this universal trainer make? 

– In Chile, the MiG-AT was introduced by a delegation headed by MAPO MIG Director General Grigory Nemov. The plane again showed its excellent performance and evoked great interest. At the Chilean show, it was piloted by Marat Alykov and Vladimir Gorbunov. They also "gave a ride" to two colonels of Venezuela's Air Force who said after the flight that MiG-AT is a 21st-century aircraft that can challenge Italian and Slovak-made trainers in the world aircraft market. 

– How soon is the plane expected to enter the international market? 

– Preparations for the series production of the aircraft at MAPO MIG are over. The assembly of six aircraft is nearing completion, and the construction of another 10 has begun. 

MiG-AT has a great export potential in the world trainer aircraft market. Air forces of various countries have displayed great interest in our plane, and we have entered into negotiations with some countries. The advantages of the MiG-AT are that it is absolutely new from a technical point of view and that it has been designed to meet requirements of aircraft of the fourth and fifth generations. The plane meets all training requirements and ensures maximum flight safety due to a two-engine power unit, the duplication of the main systems, and some other solutions. It also has a repeatedly-redundant remote control system that makes it possible to correct young pilots' errors in flight. Built-in test facilities check all systems and immediately detect and remove malfunctions. 

– What aircraft are potential rivals for MiG-AT in the world market? 

– Traditionally, our rivals in the trainer market are Britain's Hawks, Italy's MB-339, and Slovakia's L-159. But the high technical level and price of our MiG-AT must put it into the lead in the world market within the next 10 to 15 years. 

– What makes you think so? 

– France's Snecma, Turbomeca and Sextant Avionique, as participants in the joint MiG-AT project, are making additional efforts to promote the plane in the markets of the third world countries and regions of French influence. These efforts must help sell the aircraft in markets that are not traditional for Russia. The demand for MiG-ATs in the international market is estimated at 1,000 to 1,500 planes. The French companies' share in revenues will stand at 35 to 40 percent, so there is no danger that we will become dependent on them. MAPO MIG is the main contractor. 
   
Our business cooperation with French companies, which began in 1992, is strengthening. For example, in September 1997, during French President Jacques Chirac's visit to Russia, contracts were signed for the delivery of French-made accessories for engines and avionics for 15 MiG-AT trainers, the series production of which has been launched at MAPO MIG. 

Symbolically, the signing ceremony was held at the plant where in 1909 Farman airplanes were built under French license and where today, almost 90 years later, the first Russian-French MiG-AT trainer aircraft are being built. 

– Have U.S. companies displayed interest in your aircraft? 

– Not directly, but U.S. specialists have revalued our potential. They see that we have fulfilled some tasks in a better, more original way than they have. 

– What are the prospects for selling MiG-ATs to countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States? 

– They have taken a wait-and-see stance so far, but I think we will establish cooperation with them. In former years, we had common training facilities and aircraft. According to preliminary estimates, the demand for MiG-ATs in the CIS is at least 200 aircraft. 

– MiG-AT is a trainer plane. Can it be modified into a combat trainer or adapted for use by other arms? 

– No doubt. In the first case, the range of armaments to be used and the number of suspension points must be increased. Even the current variant can be used for combat purposes, although with a reduced range of armaments. 

We can also modernize the aircraft into a patrol plane for use by border troops. We considered such a variant. We will have to change some equipment, but this task is quite feasible. We also considered using the MiG-AT as a shipborne trainer. 

This aircraft is truly universal, and we hope that it will have good prospects.