China’s first domestically developed large passenger jet, the C919, conducted its maiden test flight on Friday morning in Shanghai, marking a milestone in the country’s aviation industry..
The C919, designed and manufactured by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), took off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 6:52 a.m. local time and landed safely about two hours later..
The aircraft, painted in a white and blue livery, is expected to compete with the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, two of the world’s most popular single-aisle airliners..
The C919 has a capacity of 158 to 168 passengers and a range of 5,555 kilometers (3,451 miles). It is powered by two CFM International LEAP-1C engines, which are also used on the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo..
The test flight was a significant success for COMAC and China’s aviation industry. The C919 is the first large passenger jet to be designed and manufactured in China, and its successful test flight is a testament to the country’s growing technological prowess..
COMAC has received over 1,000 orders for the C919 from Chinese airlines, and the aircraft is expected to enter commercial service in 2023. The C919 is expected to play a major role in China’s aviation market, which is expected to be the world’s largest by 2036..
The C919’s successful test flight is also a boost for China’s ambitions to become a global leader in aviation technology. COMAC is planning to develop a family of large passenger jets, including the C929, which will be a wide-body aircraft capable of carrying 280 passengers..
China’s aviation industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, and the C919’s successful test flight is a sign that the country is well on its way to becoming a major player in the global aviation market..
