Sukhoi Superjet

Has anybody travelled on this beast? I'm really curious if it's a viable choice for North America. When I was travelling in Eastern Europe, it was mostly Boeing. Dad had been on a bunch of Tupelovs and Antonovs but not a Sukhoi. I did a quick Wiki on it and if it's not propaganda and the engines have been perfected, it looks like a bargain.

 

A couple of issues with the SSJ and the US market is it is not FAA certified also is the Pilot scope clause with the mainline carriers restricting the size of regional jets. The scope clause limits the takeoff weight and number of passengers for regional carriers anything larger has to be operated by the mainline pilots. This is one of the reasons why Delta purchased the CS-100 instead of Skywest or another Delta regional partner. With Boeing raising a stink about the CS being dumped I am sure there would be resistance from Boeing and Embraer about the SSJ being introduced into the US market.

 

A buddy of mine just flew with an FO who used to fly it at InterJet out of Mexico. He said it was a total POS.

 

It's already being flown into Florida and Texas by a Mexican airline.


Metal fatigue already? They've been grounded at only 5-6 years old.

https://airwaysmag.com/safety-industry/russia-grounds-superjet/

 

I suspected it wouldn't be up to Western standards. Kind of like the Concordski.

 

Seems like a very specific location vs a widespread issue with the airplane. Time will tell. Still it should have shown up on test articles (if the testing was performed properly).

And Airbus is still trying to fix the A380 wing rib cracking issues that appeared about 6 yrs after entry into service.

Every commercial airplane has airworthiness directives. Some more than others.

 

One has already been outfitted to VIP by a company in Indianapolis.

The aircraft was designed for international acceptance with lots of Western components. The engines are a joint venture.

 

It must already be.... flown in Europe by CityJet and the US by Interjet... has to be approved, doesn't it?

 

I certainly expect it to be EASA certified with a probability of acceptance by the FAA; possible by bilateral.

 

Just looked it up.

The Sukhoi SJ does have EASA certification. Granted 5 years ago.

Nothing about FAA that I could find, but, as I said, it is flying in the US with a Mexican carrier.