Aerospace

Milestones of China’s first homegrown jetliner’s commercial debut with the C919

With the C919, which will now compete with Boeing and Airbus aircraft in the primary narrow body category segments, China is now approaching the mainland of aerospace manufacturing facility. To support domestic airlines, China has now built its own commercial aircraft facilities.

On Sunday, a China Eastern Airlines C919 made its inaugural commercial flight from Shanghai to Beijing, marking the debut of China’s first domestically constructed passenger jet.

The trip represents a turning point in the country’s long-term campaign to compete with Western rivals in the aviation industry.

China received the first C919 passenger aircraft. On Sunday, Eastern Airlines launched its first commercial service between Shanghai and Beijing.

The C919 is the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China’s (COMAC) first domestically produced large passenger aircraft.

The C919 program, which was formally introduced in 2009, has been steadily making progress toward its objective of commercial service.

The first C919 aircraft numbered 101, made its inaugural flight on May 5, 2017, lasting roughly 1 hour and 19 minutes. This flight demonstrated the aircraft’s potential and opened a new chapter in China’s aviation history.

COMAC started designing the C919 15 years ago.

Since then, the C919 has been through a protracted testing process with significant checkpoints. The first long-distance flight of the second C919 aircraft, which lasted 2 hours and 23 minutes, was successfully completed, COMAC reported in December 2017. This was an important development in validating its performance and operational range.

Many passengers responded favorably to the first commercial flight, which was also evaluated for nearly many months before being used for commercial purposes. This accomplishment, which is being watched by the majority of the world, will be the next great thing for China’s expertise in aircraft manufacturing.

According to the flight tracking app Variflight, the C919 aircraft departed Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport at 10:32 a.m. local time (0232 GMT) for Beijing Capital Airport.

According to CCTV, the plane was carrying 130 people.

“I have faith in the plane. One of the about 130 passengers told CCTV that the flight went more smoothly than he had anticipated.

According to the TV channel, passengers received crimson boarding cards and a delectable “themed meal” to honour the flight.

State-owned Commercial Aviation Corp of China (COMAC) is the manufacturer of the C919 aircraft.

To compete with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX single-aisle jet families, COMAC started designing the C919 15 years ago.

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.