Comac C919

Comac C919
Name	Comac C919
Caption	Comac C919 at Zhuhai Airshow 2018
National origin	China
Manufacturer	Comac
First flight	2017
Introduction	2022
Status	In production

Comac C919. The Comac C919 is a narrow-body jet airliner developed by Comac, a Chinese aircraft manufacturer, with the support of AVIC, China Eastern Airlines, and Air China. The development of the Comac C919 is a significant milestone in China's aviation industry, with the goal of competing with Airbus and Boeing in the global commercial aviation market, particularly with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. The Comac C919 has undergone extensive testing and certification, including FAA and EASA certification, with the involvement of CFDA, CAAC, and EU regulatory bodies.

Introduction

The Comac C919 is designed to seat between 158 and 174 passengers, depending on the configuration, and has a range of approximately 4,075 kilometers, making it suitable for short-haul and medium-haul flights, similar to the Bombardier CRJ900 and Embraer ERJ-190. The development of the Comac C919 began in 2008, with the first prototype rolling out in 2015, and the first flight taking place in 2017, with the participation of Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, and Xian Aircraft Industrial Corporation. The Comac C919 has been ordered by several Chinese airlines, including China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and China Southern Airlines, as well as foreign airlines, such as Ryanair and Turkish Airlines, with the support of ICBC Leasing and CDB Leasing. The Comac C919 has also been showcased at several airshows, including the Zhuhai Airshow and the Paris Air Show, with the attendance of Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, and other high-ranking Chinese government officials.

Design and Development

The Comac C919 is designed to be a fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft, with a range of advanced technologies, including fly-by-wire systems, composite materials, and high-bypass turbofan engines, similar to the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G and CFM International LEAP. The aircraft is powered by either the CJ-1000A engine, developed by AECC, or the LEAP-1C engine, developed by CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric and Safran Aircraft Engines. The Comac C919 has a wing design similar to the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX, with a raked wingtip and a winglet, developed in collaboration with Tsinghua University and Beihang University. The aircraft's avionics system is developed by AVIC and Rockwell Collins, with the support of Honeywell International and Thales Group.

Specifications

The Comac C919 has a length of 38.9 meters, a wingspan of 35.8 meters, and a height of 12.2 meters, with a maximum takeoff weight of 72,500 kilograms, similar to the Airbus A320-200 and Boeing 737-800. The aircraft has a cruise speed of Mach 0.785 and a range of 4,075 kilometers, with a service ceiling of 12,200 meters, developed in accordance with FAA and EASA regulations, with the involvement of CFDA and CAAC. The Comac C919 is designed to be highly customizable, with a range of interior configurations and avionics options, developed in collaboration with Zodiac Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics. The aircraft's engine options include the CJ-1000A and LEAP-1C, with the support of Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce Holdings.

Orders and Deliveries

The Comac C919 has received orders from several Chinese airlines, including China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and China Southern Airlines, as well as foreign airlines, such as Ryanair and Turkish Airlines, with the support of ICBC Leasing and CDB Leasing. The first delivery of the Comac C919 took place in 2022, with China Eastern Airlines being the first operator, followed by Air China and China Southern Airlines, with the attendance of Xi Jinping and other high-ranking Chinese government officials. The Comac C919 has also been ordered by several leasing companies, including ICBC Leasing and CDB Leasing, with the support of Boeing Capital Corporation and Airbus Financial Services.

Certification and Testing

The Comac C919 has undergone extensive testing and certification, including FAA and EASA certification, with the involvement of CFDA, CAAC, and EU regulatory bodies. The aircraft has completed a range of flight tests, including stall tests, spin tests, and high-altitude tests, developed in collaboration with NASA and European Aviation Safety Agency. The Comac C919 has also undergone ground tests, including static tests and fatigue tests, with the support of Tsinghua University and Beihang University. The certification process for the Comac C919 has involved the participation of several regulatory bodies, including the CAAC, FAA, and EASA, with the attendance of Li Keqiang and other high-ranking Chinese government officials.

Operational History

The Comac C919 entered commercial service in 2022, with China Eastern Airlines being the first operator, followed by Air China and China Southern Airlines, with the support of ICBC Leasing and CDB Leasing. The aircraft has been used on several routes, including domestic routes in China and international routes to Asia and Europe, with the attendance of Xi Jinping and other high-ranking Chinese government officials. The Comac C919 has been well received by passengers and airlines, with praise for its comfort, fuel efficiency, and reliability, developed in collaboration with Zodiac Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics. The Comac C919 is expected to play a significant role in the Chinese aviation industry, with plans for mass production and export to foreign markets, with the support of Boeing and Airbus.

Category:Aircraft manufacturers