Russian light aircraft to have Russian engines —Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO, August 04. /ITAR-TASS/. New Russian-built light aircraft should be equipped exclusively with Russian engines, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Minister of Industry and Commerce Denis Manturov on Monday.

The aircraft of this kind were now equipped with Czech engines but Russia had own developments and planned to produce and certify engines by end of 2016, said the Minister.

Development of a new type of aircraft with a capacity from 9 to 12 and 16 passengers started last year, the Minister said. A test project will be demonstrated next year, while production and certification will start from 2017.

Light multipurpose aircraft Rysachok is planned to be certified this year; serial production can start in 2015. The aircraft would replace An-2, said Manturov.

- Source:  http://en.itar-tass.com