China's C919 passenger jet moves closer to maiden flight
BEIJING: China's C919 passenger jet, the symbol of its lofty aviation ambitions, has passed a major technical assessment, and has moved closer to its first flight, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.
A committee of 63 aviation specialists from across China had agreed the C919 is technically ready for its maiden flight, Xinhua reported, citing the aircraft's Shanghai-based maker Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC).
The C919's first flight has been delayed at least twice since 2014 because of production issues. State media reported last month that the jet could take to the skies in the first half of this year.
The committee had proven that the C919 was technically airworthy, but the jet was still subject to electromagnetic compatibility and taxiing tests before it could make its first flight, according to Xinhua.
The narrow-body aircraft, capable of carrying up to 168 passengers, would be competing with Boeing's new generation 737 and Airbus's updated A320. The C919 has a standard range of 4,075 km.
COMAC previously said it had received 570 orders for the C919 passenger jet from 23 customers.
A committee of 63 aviation specialists from across China had agreed the C919 is technically ready for its maiden flight, Xinhua reported, citing the aircraft's Shanghai-based maker Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC).
The C919's first flight has been delayed at least twice since 2014 because of production issues. State media reported last month that the jet could take to the skies in the first half of this year.
The committee had proven that the C919 was technically airworthy, but the jet was still subject to electromagnetic compatibility and taxiing tests before it could make its first flight, according to Xinhua.
The narrow-body aircraft, capable of carrying up to 168 passengers, would be competing with Boeing's new generation 737 and Airbus's updated A320. The C919 has a standard range of 4,075 km.
COMAC previously said it had received 570 orders for the C919 passenger jet from 23 customers.
China's first homemade 158-seated narrow body jet
2 Nov, 2015
Text: APA state-owned manufacturer on Monday unveiled the first plane produced by a Chinese initiative to compete in the market for large passenger jetliners.
China is one of the biggest aviation markets but relies on Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
The multibillion-dollar effort to create the homegrown C919 jetliner is aimed at clawing back some of the commercial benefits that flow to foreign suppliers.
In pic: First C919 passenger jet is pulled out during a news conference next to a Chinese national flag at the company's factory in Shanghai.
