What is behind Iran's progress on locally-built aircraft? - analysis

Iranian media suggested over the weekend that the country continues to make progress on a locally-made passenger plane. The article at Iran’s Tasnim suggested the plane is undergoing eight stages of testing. It was not entirely clear when the 72-seat plane would actually be ready.  

According to this report, the plane will be designed and then its systems will be examined for reliability. Then, a prototype will be built and a final assembly of all the systems before the plane will conduct 1,500 hours of flight time under various conditions.

“In this stage, the defects and problems are evaluated and corrected, and the inspectors of the highest-ranking Civil Aviation Organization [will examine it].” 

According to Iran International, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called for a new drive to build passenger planes on a visit to the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) in the city of Isfahan on June 16, 2022. He ordered the company to design and manufacture passenger planes with at least 72 seats ‘in the near future.' READ MORE