Russia might have started the development of a light trainer aircraft for flight schools as almost half of the flight training fleet is currently grounded due to difficulties servicing the engines of Western-made aircraft, reports Vedomosti.
Russia’s civil training fleet mostly comprises of Cessna 172, the Diamond 42, or the Czech-made L-410. These aircraft have been affected by sanctions imposed on Russia following the Ukraine invasion leading to Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsiya to look out for a domestic alternative.
Local media reports suggest that the project was disclosed by an executive of the aviation authority at a meeting between Russian flight schools in April 2023.