China unveils its largest plane

[1.44]

China unveils its largest plane
​

China has unveiled the design of what will be its largest locally-made commercial aircraft.
The jet, a single-aisle C919 with up to 190 seats, will only be ready for test flights in 2014 and delivery in 2016.
But it is another step towards China's long-term goal of producing more products for domestic use rather than being the manufacturer for the world.
China has become the world's second-largest market - and fastest growing - for commercial aircraft.
'Superpowers'
The plane is made by Comac, a unit of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China.
"It's the first time that China has put a face in front of the global aviation industry," said Richard Thiele, who works for the organiser of the air show in Hong Kong where the C919 debuted.
China has been the focus of much attention from the two dominant players of aerospace - Europe's Airbus and Boeing of the US.
Airbus is the first of the world's big two aircraft-makers to have a full production facility in the country, and recently delivered its first Chinese-made plane.
"We still have a long way to go in comparison with those aviation industry 'superpowers' such as the USA," said Wang Wenbin, Comac's assistant general manager.
Test flight
Mr Wang said the C919 "will set a landmark for the overall modernisation" of China, which has previously focused more on military aviation rather than commercial aircraft.
The Chinese planemaker has made great strides since it was set up in May 2008.
In November, China successfully flight tested its first home-grown commercial airliner, the ARJ-21.
Mr Wang said the company has received 208 confirmed and unconfirmed orders for the 90-seat ARJ-21, which Comac also manufactures.
Studies have suggested that demand for new planes from Chinese airlines will increase fivefold over the next 20 years, requiring over 2,000 additional aircraft.

BBC NEWS | Business | China unveils its largest plane

 

[mattster]

This aircraft is probably going to be a generation behind Embraer, Boeing, Airbus, Bombadier and even Sukhoi offerings in terms of technology and quality.

So how are these Chinese guys going to compete in the global market ???

Basically they are going to force their local airlines to buy them and maybe heavily subsidize the development costs.

I sure as heck would not want to be flying in one of these ??

 

[AkhandBharat]

Did you read the article?

But it is another step towards China's long-term goal of producing more products for domestic use rather than being the manufacturer for the world.

 

[Koji]

This aircraft is probably going to be a generation behind Embraer, Boeing, Airbus, Bombadier and even Sukhoi offerings in terms of technology and quality.

So how are these Chinese guys going to compete in the global market ???

Basically they are going to force their local airlines to buy them and maybe heavily subsidize the development costs.

I sure as heck would not want to be flying in one of these ??

A lot of countries subsidize large carrier jets. Boeing and Airbus are going at each others throats accusing each other about receiving government money. It is nothing new.

 

[ZOOM]

Chinese aviation is doing good as far as their quest to lessen their dependibility on foriegn suppliers are concerned. Certainly for the next 50 years, it is highly unlikely that dominance of Boeing and Airbus will challanged as they are miles ahead as far as design of the aircraft and engine is concerned. Then only, China is showing good beginning by producing low cost civil airliner especially tailer made for the suitability of domestic market. It enable them to produce larger and heavier capacity passanger and transport aircraft in future. It would be highly absurd to discount china's unwillingness to export such civilian version to third world nations, as China is considered as a mass producer and hence to strike the benefits of economic of scale, this civilan airliner will be a sweetner for Chinese aviation industry.

 

[no smoking]

As a backward country, no one expects china to produce some world-class high-tech product overnight. At least, producing sth even if it is outdated is still a beginning.

 

[1.44]

China can still expect a number of orders from third world countries for this low cost Airliner. At least domestic plane makers will be able to grab a share of the nearly 3500 aircraft needed by Chinese airlines.
Although i'm not too optimistic about the domestic engines to power this jet.
Jumbo jet project boon to suppliers

 

[badguy2000]

Chinese aviation is doing good as far as their quest to lessen their dependibility on foriegn suppliers are concerned. Certainly for the next 50 years, it is highly unlikely that dominance of Boeing and Airbus will challanged as they are miles ahead as far as design of the aircraft and engine is concerned. Then only, China is showing good beginning by producing low cost civil airliner especially tailer made for the suitability of domestic market. It enable them to produce larger and heavier capacity passanger and transport aircraft in future. It would be highly absurd to discount china's unwillingness to export such civilian version to third world nations, as China is considered as a mass producer and hence to strike the benefits of economic of scale, this civilan airliner will be a sweetner for Chinese aviation industry.

don't overestimate Boeing and Airbus too much.
just in 2007,nobody except mads dared expect that GM would bankrupt two years later.

 

[ZOOM]

don't overestimate Boeing and Airbus too much.
just in 2007,nobody except mads dared expect that GM would bankrupt two years later.

There is some level of difference between GM v/s Boeing & Airbus, There are numerous Automobile companies in the world including in Third world nations like India which can give serious challange to someone like GM. But there is no one in the world who can seriously challange the monopoly and dominance of this two aviation giants. Yes, there are some countries who are certainly developing propeller drivan and small executive jets including some passanger jets in the range of Airbus-320, but still no one can match the speed, sophistication and technological legacy of Airbus and Boeing.

 

[sob]

Congrats to the Chinese People for this important milestone in Aircraft Production.

Howver more than the ability to produce aircraft for Civilian use, the most important factor which will be in the minds of Airlines and their passengers will be the Reliability of the aircraft and it's components.

The amount of paper work that goes in to track each and every component right from the raw material stage to the finished product stage is phenomenal and the Chinese with their not so open policy will find it difficult to convince customers outside China to buy their aircraft.

Boeing and Airbus have decades of experience and also have had their share of problems/crashes/near misses and they have come out stronger from their experiences. We never question the relaibility of their aircraft when we board them for travel. This is the kind of reputation that they have build over a long period of time.

IMO it will take China 5-8 years to begin serious exports from the day they deliver their first Jet.

 

[Ray]

The Chinese aircraft will be successful since it will be sold at 'friendship' prices!

One has to praise the Chinese for this great leap forward!

 

[superman]

Great achievements

 

[Martian]

This is very good news. The more competition that exists among aircraft suppliers, it will lead to lower prices for aircraft buyers. Hopefully, the airlines will pass the cost savings onto the customers in the form of lower ticket prices.

 

[K Factor]

I sincerely hope and pray that its performance and quality is better than quality of the Chinese electronic goods flooding all world markets.
Nobody will lose sleep over a bust Ipod clone, but if it is an aircraft with people on board, then its different... and serious.

 

[Martian]

As I understand it, an aircraft has to undergo rigorous testing before it can be certified for commercial use by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). Using the 90-seat Chinese ARJ-21 as an example, GE is leasing 25 ARJ-21s. See China wins 25-plane ARJ21 order from GE, 1st overseas deal | Airshow China 2008 | Webcasts | en.AvBuyer.com.cn

If GE, the FAA, and the insurance companies are satisfied, I don't think there will be a safety issue with the ARJ-21 or the C919. Also, judging by the history of China's turboprop passenger planes, such as the MA60, I don't think there will be a safety issue. See http://sify.com/fullstory.php?id=14711255