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Comac has rolled out the first flight test aircraft for the C919 programme, a significant milestone towards China’s push to become a major player in aircraft manufacturing.
The Chinese manufacturer presented aircraft 101 to much fanfare, before a crowd of 5,000 comprising Chinese politicians, airline chiefs, suppliers and journalists, at its assembly facility near Shanghai’s Pudong International airport. The event was also broadcast live on the country’s central television network, with VIPs including China's vice-premier Ma Kai.
The aircraft, painted in a white, blue and green Comac livery, was towed onto the facility. Mounted on its wings are the CFM International Leap-1C engines. The manufacturer says all major systems have been installed on the aircraft.
It adds that aircraft 101 is in a condition where ground tests can begin, and that the target is for the aircraft to take its first flight in 2016.
Comac is using a fleet of eight aircraft – six flight tests and two ground tests – for the C919 programme.
Development of the indigenous programme started in 2008. The aircraft, pitched against Airbus and Boeing’s narrowbodies, has a long list of western suppliers including CFM International and GE Aviation. It has a design capacity for between 158 and 174 seats, and a flying range of 4,075km (2,200nm) for the standard version, with the extended-range version able to fly 5,555km (3,000nm).
Currently, seven domestic airlines have ordered a total of 140 C919s: Air China (20), China Eastern Airlines (20), China Southern Airlines (20), Hainan Airlines (20), Sichuan Airlines (20), Hebei Airlines (20), and Joy Air (20). The C919 has also garnered international orders, with Germany's Puren Airlines and Thailand's City Airways signing 7 and 10 letters of intent respectively.
On the commercial side, there are 12 domestic financial leasing companies with orders: ABC Financial Leasing (45), BOC Aviation (20), BOCOMM Leasing (30), CCB Financial Leasing (50), CDB Leasing Company (10), China Aircraft Leasing Company (20), China Merchants Bank (30), General Electric Capital Aviation Services (20), Huaxia Financial Leasing (20), ICBC Leasing (45), Industrial Bank Financial Leasing Co Ltd (20), and Ping An Leasing (50), bringing total orders for the C919 up to 500 airframes.
The Chinese manufacturer presented aircraft 101 to much fanfare, before a crowd of 5,000 comprising Chinese politicians, airline chiefs, suppliers and journalists, at its assembly facility near Shanghai’s Pudong International airport. The event was also broadcast live on the country’s central television network, with VIPs including China's vice-premier Ma Kai.
The aircraft, painted in a white, blue and green Comac livery, was towed onto the facility. Mounted on its wings are the CFM International Leap-1C engines. The manufacturer says all major systems have been installed on the aircraft.
It adds that aircraft 101 is in a condition where ground tests can begin, and that the target is for the aircraft to take its first flight in 2016.
Comac is using a fleet of eight aircraft – six flight tests and two ground tests – for the C919 programme.
Development of the indigenous programme started in 2008. The aircraft, pitched against Airbus and Boeing’s narrowbodies, has a long list of western suppliers including CFM International and GE Aviation. It has a design capacity for between 158 and 174 seats, and a flying range of 4,075km (2,200nm) for the standard version, with the extended-range version able to fly 5,555km (3,000nm).
Currently, seven domestic airlines have ordered a total of 140 C919s: Air China (20), China Eastern Airlines (20), China Southern Airlines (20), Hainan Airlines (20), Sichuan Airlines (20), Hebei Airlines (20), and Joy Air (20). The C919 has also garnered international orders, with Germany's Puren Airlines and Thailand's City Airways signing 7 and 10 letters of intent respectively.
On the commercial side, there are 12 domestic financial leasing companies with orders: ABC Financial Leasing (45), BOC Aviation (20), BOCOMM Leasing (30), CCB Financial Leasing (50), CDB Leasing Company (10), China Aircraft Leasing Company (20), China Merchants Bank (30), General Electric Capital Aviation Services (20), Huaxia Financial Leasing (20), ICBC Leasing (45), Industrial Bank Financial Leasing Co Ltd (20), and Ping An Leasing (50), bringing total orders for the C919 up to 500 airframes.
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So, what do you guys think? Certainly looks good, like an A320/B787 hybrid, with a dash of CS100 and A350 thrown in. I do think it will be successful, at the very least due to the Chinese airlines. It also means we can probably see it in Singapore when it launches too!