Aircraft 104, the fourth prototype of the Comac C919 which bears registration B-001E, has completed its first test flight in Shanghai’s Pudong Airport.
The test flight lasted for about an hour and 25 minutes. It displayed test points such as avionics testing, take-off and landing, as well as deicing.
The Comac C919 is a narrow-body twinjet airliner. It is primarily constructed with aluminium alloys, is to be powered by either CFM International LEAP or ACAE CJ-1000A turbofan engines. It can carry about 156 to 168 passengers in a normal operating configuration up to 5,555 km. It is intended to compete primarily with the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo.
Comac’s development programme was launched in 2008. The prototype’s production began in December 2011, rolled out on 2 November 2015. Comac’s C919 had its maiden flight, 5 May 2017. Soon enough, aircrafts 105 and 106 will be taking on their test flights later this year.
Its first commercial deliveries are expected in 2021 to China Eastern Airlines. As of 31 August 2018, Comac has 1008 commitments including 305 firm orders, mostly from Chinese leasing companies or airlines, with the exception of GE.
