The first COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) C919 to be assembled in Shanghai, rolled out of the newly-built final assembly workshop on November 2, 2015. The event signals completion of assembly of body segments and airborne systems, which are now ready for ground tests after which the aircraft will be readied for flight tests.
C919 is a short-medium range single-aisle jet whose design was begun in 2008. The basic version seats 158 passengers in a two-class cabin, or 168 in all-economy class layout with a high-density layout for 174 passengers. Standard range is 4,075km, while the extended-range version should reach 5,555km. The company says it is designed for an economic service life of 90,000 flying hours or 30 years.
Jin Zhuanglong, Chairman of COMAC, said the C919 will carry out tests in avionics, flight control, hydraulics and other systems as well as airborne systems integration tests and static tests in the near future. The maiden flight is expected in 2016, after the completion of the adjustment of airborne systems and installation of flight test equipment.
