Aviation

Comac C919 Moves Closer to Securing EU Certification with EASA

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China’s first home-grown passenger jet, the C919, is edging closer to receiving certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), following a crucial on-the-ground inspection by the regulator.

According to a report from the South China Morning Post, Chinese sources disclosed that EASA provided positive feedback after their second visit in July, a critical phase in the jet’s certification process.

During this visit, EASA inspectors engaged in hands-on evaluations using COMAC’s full-size level-D simulators, marking the third round of EASA’s four-step compliance demonstration process. This phase is particularly significant as it focuses on ensuring that the aircraft’s structure, electrical systems, and overall design meet stringent regulatory standards.

Aircraft comparisons between the comac C919 and the B737 max 8:Click here

The visit also included testing a Chinese-made complete flight simulator, which rivals the simulators used for the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 Max. comac c919 vs boeing 737 price

The positive feedback from EASA is a promising indicator, suggesting that the C919 may be on track for preliminary approval. While full certification remains distant, with European approval anticipated by 2025, this feedback is a critical milestone in the aircraft’s journey towards entering the international market.

Chinese media has expressed optimism about the C919’s progress, particularly as EASA has shown keen interest in the aircraft’s commercial operations within China. COMAC is expected to begin flight testing for EASA later this year or early next year, aligning with their goal of achieving full certification by 2025.

Is China’s COMAC C919 better than B737max and A319neo?:Click here

Currently, China Eastern Airlines, the only airline operating the C919, has seven of these jets in service, connecting major cities across five routes. As of the end of July, the C919 has flown 3,100 flights, carrying 420,000 passengers, underscoring its growing role in China’s aviation industry.

With EASA’s positive response and continued testing, the C919 is steadily moving closer to earning its place in the global aviation market, representing a significant achievement for China’s aerospace ambitions.

Aviation

Boeing Resumes 737 MAX Manufacturing After Seven-Week Strike

In a crucial move for its recovery, Boeing has restarted production of its best-selling 737 MAX jetliner, about a month after a significant seven-week strike involving 33,000 factory workers came to an end.

This marks a key milestone for the planemaker, which has been facing considerable challenges in recent years, including heavy debt and a series of setbacks.

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According to the report from Reuters, Boeing resumed the production of the 737 MAX jetliner last week, a pivotal step as the company aims to meet the growing global demand for air travel. With over 4,200 orders from airlines, Boeing’s ability to get the 737 MAX production line back in motion is vital for its financial recovery.

Although Boeing had previously planned to restart production earlier, the company faced numerous obstacles that delayed this process. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) head Mike Whitaker told Reuters on Thursday that while Boeing had not yet resumed production, they had plans to restart by the end of the month.

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The road to this point has been rocky for Boeing. Setbacks such as the tragic fatal crashes of the 737 MAX, the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing supply chain issues, production safety concerns, and increased regulatory scrutiny have all contributed to delays in the company’s efforts to ramp up production.

The seven-week strike, which involved thousands of Boeing’s factory workers, added yet another hurdle. Despite these challenges, production of the 737 MAX officially resumed on Friday, according to one of the anonymous sources.

Boeing, however, declined to comment on the matter. The planemaker is now focused on reaching its goal of producing 56 737 MAX airplanes per month, a target that has been delayed due to the many issues that have beset the company over the past few years.