China's C919 undergoes test flights

Four C919s, large civil jet aircraft developed by China, are undergoing intensive test flights according to the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd as Chinanews.com reported on Sept 18.

A C919 jet, type 104, makes its maiden flight at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Aug 1, 2019. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

COMAC said the C919 has been developed in accordance with international civil aviation regulations, and COMAC owns independent intellectual property rights for the single-aisle trunkliner. The corporation plans to place six C919 in test fights, four of which have been underway in Shanghai, Xi'an, Dongying and Nanchang. The other two aircraft are in assembly and slated to be put into test flight this year.

Development progress for CR929, a long-range widebody aircraft jointly developed by China and Russia, is also steady, and the Sino-Russian joint venture for the plane is in sound operation. The concept definition stage for the jet has finished. The joint venture is now carrying out work such as supplier selection and general planning. CR929 is designed with a flight range of 12,000 kilometers and a layout of 280 seats.

COMAC added its self-developed regional jetliner ARJ21 has good performance in plateau areas and high temperature conditions, with outstanding anti-crosswind capability. The regional jet meets demands of airports with mixed take-off-and-landing conditions in central and western China. As of now, 15 of the ARJ21-700 have been delivered to Chengdu Airlines and Genghis Khan Airlines where they serve 28 routes, having transported more than 500,000 passengers in 31 cities.

As per COMAC, it will enhance communication with its clients, providers and cooperators and beef up marketing for ARJ21, C919 and CR929 during the ongoing 18th Aviation Expo China, which opened on Sept 18 in Beijing.