C919 takes first long-distance flight in preparation for further tests

2017-11-10
Xinhua

China’s large passenger aircraft, the C919, are seen on the tarmac in Shanghai, East China, Nov 9, 2017. The Chinese-produced large passenger jet, C919, will make its first long-distance flight on Nov 10, leaving Shanghai for Yanliang base in Northwest China’s Shaanxi province where it will undergo further testing. It will remain at the Yanliang base to undergo more complicated testing in order to acquire its airworthiness certificates. With a standard range of 4,075 kilometers, the C919 jet is comparable to the updated Airbus 320 and Boeing’s new generation 737 planes.[Photo/Xinhua]

SHANGHAI — The Chinese-produced large passenger jet, C919, will make its first long-distance flight on Nov 10, leaving Shanghai for Northwest China’s Shaanxi province where it will undergo further testing.

The plane will take off in Pudong Airport in Shanghai and fly to Yanliang Testing Base in Xi’an, according to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the Shanghai-based manufacturer of the jet.

China’s large passenger aircraft, the C919, are seen on the tarmac in Shanghai, East China, Nov 9, 2017.[Photo/Xinhua]

The company plans to produce six test planes, with the second expected to make its maiden flight at the end of this year.

The first C919 completed its maiden test flight in May and has now made a total of five test flights. It will remain at the Yanliang base to undergo more complicated testing in order to acquire its airworthiness certificates.

Cai Jun, captain of the maiden flight, said the aircraft will fly at a height of 7,800 meters and complete the 1,400-km journey in around three hours.

“We have prepared a detailed work plan to ensure the safety of the flight from Shanghai to Yanliang,” he said.

China’s large passenger aircraft, the C919, are seen on the tarmac in Shanghai, East China, Nov 9, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

COMAC has received orders for 730 C919 planes from 27 domestic and international clients.

With a standard range of 4,075 kilometers, the C919 jet is comparable to the updated Airbus 320 and Boeing’s new generation 737 planes.

China’s large passenger aircraft, the C919, are seen on the tarmac in Shanghai, East China, Nov 9, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Staff members check China’s large passenger aircraft, the C919, on the tarmac in Shanghai, East China, Nov 9, 2017.[Photo/Xinhua]