China’s first fully homegrown commercial aircraft, the ARJ-21, rolled off the production line Friday (21 December 2007), marking a major step in the country’s aviation program.
In a nationally televised ceremony, the Xiangfeng, or “Flying Phoenix,” was towed into a hangar at the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory amid flashing laser lights and rousing band music. “Today, China’s aviation industry has turned over a new leaf,” Lin Zuoming, general manager of China Aviation Industry Corp. I, or AVIC I, said in comments carried on the news channel of China Central Television.
The maiden flight of the jet is planned for March. It will carry up to 90 passengers and have a flight range of 2,000 nautical miles (2,300 miles or 3,680 kilometers). AVIC 1 expects the jet to get its airworthiness certificate in the first half of 2009 and plans to begin deliveries to customers in the third quarter of 2009, it said.
Here you can find the complete specification with seatmaps and pictures.
Source: AP
Everyone has the same plan these days Japan,Russia,China and who knows some day maybe India.Start with the regional jet and keep scaling upwards so that by 2025 you have yourself a full fledget aircraft company ala boeing or airbus.
Good luck but i won’t put my money on it.
China seems to take it seriously, even though if you compare airplanes to cars, I’m a bit worried about this project. It is well known how the first Chinese engineered and built cars were removed from the European market after their crash tests and safety validation…
But on the other hand China seems to go much beyond a regional jetliner:
Monday January 7, 2008
China’s two principal state-owned aircraft makers, AVIC I and AVIC II, are planning to restructure in order to pave the way for the realization of the country’s ambition to manufacture and market a “jumbo” commercial aircraft.
Full article: http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=11297
Chinese can do much better in their aero industry than in auto industry.
On 04NOV2008, they have received the first “Western” order for the aircraft by GECAS, and aircraft lessor with five firm orders and 20 options for the new Chinese Aircraft that is scheduled to do its inaugural flight before the end of 2008. This has raised the current order number to 206 units.
Chinese airplane industry will probably see robust growth in the next decade, especially with the cheaper “made in china” tag. I’d say Boeing and airbus will see tough competition, and will probably be forced to decrease prices of their products.