China’s first C919 passenger jet completes its first flight, Before delivery.

In Shanghai, China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation (COMAC) successfully completed its first pre-delivery flight test. COMAC is a state-owned jet manufacturer with the potential to reduce China’s reliance on commercial aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. The C919 aircraft could eventually replace the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 in the global aviation industry.

The C919 aircraft with the registration B-001J took off from Shanghai International Pudong Airport at 6:52 a.m. (Beijing time) and landed at 9:54 a.m., according to a new website called Global Times. According to COMAC’s official website, the commercial aircraft completed its scheduled missions, functioned well, and was in good shape. The jet will be delivered to China Eastern Airlines.

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The aircraft, primarily constructed with aluminium alloys, is to be powered by either CFM International LEAP or ACAE CJ-1000A turbofan engines, and be able to carry 156 to 168 passengers in a normal operating configuration up to 5,555 km (3000 nmi). As of 31 August 2018, Comac has 1008 commitments including 305 firm orders, mostly from Chinese leasing companies or airlines.

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The COMAC C919, China’s first self-developed commercial aircraft, was debuted in 2007. The plane has 158-168 seats and a range of 4,075-5,555 kilometres, making it comparable to the Boeing 737 Max and Airbus A320 family of aircraft. It successfully completed its first flight in 2017.

COMAC and China Eastern Airlines signed a five-plane purchase agreement in March 2021, marking the plane’s formal market debut. According to the airline, the new planes would be used on flights from Shanghai to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu. China Eastern Airlines has agreed to buy five C919 planes at a list price of $99 million each.

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At Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the C919 performed its first pre-delivery flight test. The aircraft (B-001J, MSN107) completed a 3-hour test session on May 14, 2022, according to Comac. The aircraft, which will be painted in the livery of China Eastern subsidiary OTT Airlines, will be delivered this year.

Let us know what you think of China’s new home-built airplane, the Comac C919.