China's first large passenger jet

[Randy W]

People's Daily, China added 3 new photos. 12 hrs ·

 

Take a first look inside the C919, China's first domestically-produced large passenger jet, that is due to embark on its maiden flight Friday

The maiden flight of China’s 158-seat C919 passenger aircraft is scheduled for Friday. Assembled by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, the C919 will take wing at the Shanghai International Airport on Friday, subject to weather conditions

 

 

 

 

 

[Randy W]

May 5, 2017: The C919 flies high in the clouds. The C919 is a single-aisle commercial aircraft built for medium-haul flights, with up to 174 seats and twin engines. by Wan Quan/China Pictorial

 

 

China Pictorial

 

Page Liked · 9 mins · Edited ·

 

 

 

[Allon]

Lot of talk about this jet. Started by Mao many years ago and does not have much of the innovation Boeing and Lockheed have in theirs. But a lot of the parts come from America so that helps their company. But China is slowly taking over the aircraft demand side. There will be a lot of catering to them but rumor has it (NPR) that Chinese companies will get the business in the future.

[Randy W]

from Bloomberg

 

China’s New Plane Will Be Helped Aloft by U.S. Technology

 

 

 

“It’s impractical for Comac not to take advantage of technologies that are already out there,” said Yu Zhanfu, a principal at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in Beijing. “If you insist on doing everything from the ground up by yourself, chances are you will become irrelevant.”

 

Companies based outside China supply C919 systems for flight control, power, lighting, cockpit control and much else. The engines and landing gear are from overseas manufacturers.

The Chinese jet demonstrates the extent globalization has taken over the manufacture of major engineering products. Just as the jet relies on systems from firms based around the world, many of those systems are built with components that originated in China.

 

[Allon]

The "expert" on NPR radio says the Chinese will always leave a bit for their own. Of all the parts and systems on the list, supposedly Boeing gets the end of the stick. But he says that is only because Comac (China) is saving some work for their factories. Questions is: what? Right now, a lot of people are wondering when and if Comac can insert its own technology and commerce into a market where they will be the buyer instead of the seller, and they are taking over the major part of the industry in the next years.

 

A lot to keep track of with regard to China.

[chilton747]

It definitely will need to be field tested.

Any takers?