Aerospace

First made-in-china large commercial aircraft , C919 rolled off production line.

The Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (Comac) said on Monday it had rolled out its C919 narrow body jet, which is meant to rival similar models from Airbus Group and Boeing Co.

State television also showed footage of the aircraft rolling off the assembly line in Comac’s Shanghai factory. In a statement, the company said it had already received 517 orders for the aircraft mainly from domestic firms.

About C919

“C919″is the short form of trunk liner code for “COMAC919”. COMAC is the acronym of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. The letter “C” is the first letter of both “COMAC” and “China”. It indicates that this trunk liner program is the will of China and her people. It is a short-medium range commercial trunk liner that can claim indigenous intellectual property. Its all-economy class layout entails 168 seats, and the hybrid class layout 156 seats. The basic version is designed to cover a range of 4,075 km, while the enhanced version can stretch to 5,555 km. Such designs may satisfy the operating demands for different routes. Its economic life is designed to be 90,000 flying hours/30 calendar years.

Features

Safety:

The design, development, and airworthiness examination of the airplane are completely based on international civil aviation rules and regulations and airworthiness standards.
Economics:

Fuel consumption and direct operating cost per seat per kilometer are lower than those of similar existing airplanes.
Comfort:

Broader cabins and wider seats plus advanced system technology to improve comfort.

Environmentally friendly:

New engine to meet noise and pollutant discharge requirements.

Product family:

Covering basic version, extended version, shortened version, cargo version, special version and corporate version.

The Comac C919 is a family of 158-174 seat narrow-body twin-engine jet airliners built by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac). It is the largest commercial airliner designed and built in China since the defunct Shanghai Y-10. Its first flight is expected to take place in end of 2015, with first deliveries scheduled for late 2018.

Dimensions

Dimensions of the C919 are very similar to the Airbus A320, possibly to allow for a common pallet to be used. Its fuselage will be 3.96 metres (13 feet) wide, and 4.166 metres (13 feet, 8 inches) high, producing a cross-section of 12.915 square metres (139 square feet). The wingspan will be 33.6 metres (110 feet, 3 inches), or 35.4 metres (116 feet, 3 inches) if winglets are included.

Payload

Payload will be 20.4 metric tonnes. Its cruise speed will be Mach 0.785 and it will have a maximum altitude of 12,100 metres (39,800 feet).

capacity

There will be two variants. The standard version will have a range of 4,075 km (2,200nm), with the extended-range version able to fly 5,555 km (3,000nm).

According to a film shown by Comac at the 2010 Zhuhai Airshow, the company plans to build six different models of the aircraft: a base passenger aircraft with 168 seats, as well as stretched and shrunk passenger versions, business jet and freighter models, and a type designated only as “special” .

Price tag

The Comac C919 is intended to be a new entrant in the commercial airliner market specifically targeted at low-cost airlines. Fuel price increases are especially damaging to the low-cost flying model, leading these airlines to renew their fleets frequently. This ensures optimal fuel performance and reliability across a single-type fleet. Direct competitor – Boeing 737 unit cost of US$ 78.3-108.3 million, means that target price for this airplane should be lower. The Airbus A320 has a wider price range, from US$71.9 million to US$120.5 million. The Comac developers have not announced a price tag for each plane, although based on industry speculation current orders for 2012 could be worth more than US$26 billion. This with 2012 orders for 380 examples, lead to projected average price of about $68 million.

Total no of orders 517 (as of 2015)

At the 2015 Paris Air Show, Ping An Leasing signed a letter of intent for 50 C919s.This deals makes the Shanghai-based Chinese lessor one of Comac’s largest customers. In addition to Ping An Leasing, Puren Group also signed a letters of intent for seven C919s and seven ARJ21s, intended for the start-up Puren Airlines.Also during that time Nepal Airlines and Air India was interested in acquiring 2-3 to replace older aircraft.

Design and assembly of the aircraft done in Shanghai, using foreign-made jet engines and avionics. However, China has expressed its desire to produce a domestically made engine for the C919. The center wing box, outer wing box, wing panels, flaps and ailerons are planned to be built in Xi’an, China. The center fuselage sections are planned to be built in Hongdu, China.The airframe will be made largely of aluminium alloy, while the center wing box also makes use of carbonfiber composites.

CFM International will supply a version of the LEAP engine, the LEAP-1C, to power the aircraft. The engine’s nacelle, thrust reverser and exhaust system will be provided by Nexcelle, with such features as an advanced inlet configuration, the extensive use of composites and acoustic treatment and an electrically operated thrust reverser. Michelin will supply Air X radial tyres.

Dimensions

Payload

Payload will be 20.4 metric tonnes. Its cruise speed will be Mach 0.785 and it will have a maximum altitude of 12,100 metres (39,800 feet).

capacity

There will be two variants. The standard version will have a range of 4,075 km (2,200nm), with the extended-range version able to fly 5,555 km (3,000nm).

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Aerospace

Which is bigger 777x or 787 aircraft ?

The 777X is a new series of the Boeing 777 family and is designed to be larger and more efficient than its predecessor. It features two variants: the 777-8 and the 777-9, being the larger of the two.

The Boeing 777X emerges as the larger sibling within the Boeing family, representing a significant leap forward in both size and efficiency. Comprising two variants, the 777-8 and the 777-9, the latter takes the crown as the larger of the two. With its expansive fuselage and impressive wingspan, the 777X is tailored for long-range journeys and boasts a substantial passenger capacity.

On the other hand, the Boeing 787, affectionately known as the Dreamliner, occupies a niche in the market as a smaller yet formidable aircraft designed for medium to long-range flights. Its distinguishing feature lies in its composite fuselage, a technological marvel that renders it lighter and more fuel-efficient compared to conventional aluminum counterparts. The Boeing 777X is larger than the Boeing 787 aircraft.

When it comes to passenger capacity, the 777-9 reigns supreme, typically accommodating a sizeable contingent of 400-425 passengers in its standard configuration. In contrast, the 787, with its more modest dimensions, typically carries between 240-290 passengers, depending on the variant and layout.

One of the remarkable innovations introduced with the 777X is its folding wingtips, a feature designed to address the logistical challenges of accommodating such a large aircraft in conventional airport gates. These folding wingtips enable the 777X to retract its wings, allowing it to fit into gates designed for smaller aircraft while still reaping the benefits of an extended wingspan during flight, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and operational flexibility

Aerospace

China Secures Production Certificate for Mass Production of Pilotless eVTOL Aircraft

EHang

The first passenger-carrying pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the world, the EH216-S, has received the Production Certificate for its eVTOL aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

This is a significant milestone for EHang Holdings Limited, the leading UAM technology platform company in the world. This outstanding accomplishment is another big step towards mass manufacturing for the eVTOL aircraft and the ensuing commercial operations, building on the ground-breaking acquisition of the Type Certificate and the Standard Airworthiness Certificate for the EH216-S.

The PC is a crucial certificate that the aircraft maker receives from the CAAC, the country’s aviation authority. By obtaining this certificate, EHang has demonstrated that it has set up a quality management system for mass production that satisfies the airworthiness regulation standards set forth by the CAAC, and the company has been given permission to continue producing mass quantities.

It is also a strong guarantee of the calibre of the goods made by EHang. Raw materials, supplier management, manufacturing organisation, production quality control, aircraft pre-delivery test, after-sales repair and maintenance, etc. are all included in the mass production quality management system for the EH216-S.

To ensure that every aircraft and its components that roll off the production line strictly adhere to the approved type design and safety requirements, the system sets clear guidelines and documentation for every step in the production procedure. This ensures comprehensive traceability and safety control.

Aerospace

Four Airbus A380 Superjumbos lined up to be scrapped

EASA Proposes AD for Airbus A380 Wing Rib Foot Cracks

In a strategic move aimed at reclaiming valuable resources from the iconic Airbus A380 aircraft, VAS Aero Services and Dr. Peters Group have announced a significant collaboration.

This partnership marks a milestone in aviation logistics and aftermarket services, with four of these colossal planes slated for teardown and redistribution of used serviceable material (USM).

The venture between VAS Aero Services, renowned for its expertise in aircraft dismantlement, and Dr. Peters Group, a prominent Germany-based investment fund management firm, underscores a commitment to sustainable aviation practices. This isn’t their first foray into scrapping A380s; their successful partnership has already seen the dismantlement of these aircraft, making them pioneers in this niche.

Under the agreement, the latest consignment brings the tally to eight A380s entrusted to VAS by Dr. Peters Group. Managing Director Christian Mailly of Dr. Peters Group emphasized the trust placed in VAS, citing their unparalleled capabilities in dismantlement and aftermarket sales network. It’s a strategic move in response to the growing demand for quality USM parts, particularly with the resurgence in reliance on the A380.

Notably, the teardown process will be carried out at various locations, optimizing the positioning of harvested parts to cater to different markets. While some parts will be positioned in Europe to support operators in the region and the Middle East, others will remain in the Asia-Pacific region. This meticulous strategy ensures efficient access to spare parts, benefiting MROs and airlines across these markets.

The decision to retire these A380s comes at a time when operators are reassessing fleet strategies amidst evolving market dynamics. Despite initial plans for quick retirement due to the emergence of more fuel-efficient alternatives, factors such as a rebound in long-haul demand and delays in new widebody deliveries have prompted operators to reconsider. The A380, with its unique capacity and capabilities, presents a practical solution for short-term capacity management.