ARJ21再次延期交付# Aviation - 航空航天
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ARJ21 Wing Problems Drive Program Delay
Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (Comac) now aims to deliver its first
ARJ21 regional jet toward the end of next year, representing another one-
year delay in the program.
It had been aiming to have first deliveries by the end of this year, but
Comac director general airworthiness management department, Zhao Yuerang,
says they aim to finish the flight test program in April and the
supplemental ground tests in June.
“At the end of next year, we will complete (Civil Aviation Administration
of China) type certification and have first delivery,” he says. Zhao was
speaking at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Forum on Nov. 15
in Zhuhai.
The ARJ21 has experienced several delays over the years. Previous delays
were caused by weight issues and difficulties with systems integration.
But the latest delay is due to structural issues. Industry sources say the
ARJ21’s wing broke, during static testing before achieving ultimate
predicted load. The wing’s failure then led the Civil Aviation
Administration of China (CAAC) to limit the aircraft’s flight envelope
during its flight test program.
The sources say the structural issue has since been resolved because Comac
has redesigned the aircraft’s wing to make it stronger. The CAAC has
responded by restoring the flight envelope to its fullest, add the sources.
Chengdu Airlines, in which Comac is a major shareholder, is to be the launch
operator. Chengdu placed an order for 30 ARJ21s after Comac bought into the
airline. The launch operator was originally supposed to be Shandong
Airlines, but it decided to delay taking delivery of the Chinese-built
regional aircraft. Shenzhen Airlines’ Kunpeng Airlines was next in line to
be the launch operator, but it handed that mantle to Chengdu.
The ARJ21-700 is a 90-seat regional jet powered by two, fuselage-mounted
General Electric CF34-10A engines.
China is hoping that once the ARJ21 receives Chinese certification, it will
get FAA certification, making it the first Chinese commercial transport
aircraft to receive U.S. approval. The FAA has agreed in-principle to embark
on a shadow certification, which involves ensuring the CAAC certification
process is in line with FAA standards.
Passing the shadow certification process would make it easier for the ARJ21
to get FAA certification. Having FAA certification would help Comac to sell
the aircraft overseas.
Comac has sold the ARJ21 mostly to Chinese airlines. Its foreign customers
are GE Commercial Aviation Services and the Laos Government. Laos is a
political ally of China. GE is providing the engines for the ARJ21.
Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (Comac) now aims to deliver its first
ARJ21 regional jet toward the end of next year, representing another one-
year delay in the program.
It had been aiming to have first deliveries by the end of this year, but
Comac director general airworthiness management department, Zhao Yuerang,
says they aim to finish the flight test program in April and the
supplemental ground tests in June.
“At the end of next year, we will complete (Civil Aviation Administration
of China) type certification and have first delivery,” he says. Zhao was
speaking at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Forum on Nov. 15
in Zhuhai.
The ARJ21 has experienced several delays over the years. Previous delays
were caused by weight issues and difficulties with systems integration.
But the latest delay is due to structural issues. Industry sources say the
ARJ21’s wing broke, during static testing before achieving ultimate
predicted load. The wing’s failure then led the Civil Aviation
Administration of China (CAAC) to limit the aircraft’s flight envelope
during its flight test program.
The sources say the structural issue has since been resolved because Comac
has redesigned the aircraft’s wing to make it stronger. The CAAC has
responded by restoring the flight envelope to its fullest, add the sources.
Chengdu Airlines, in which Comac is a major shareholder, is to be the launch
operator. Chengdu placed an order for 30 ARJ21s after Comac bought into the
airline. The launch operator was originally supposed to be Shandong
Airlines, but it decided to delay taking delivery of the Chinese-built
regional aircraft. Shenzhen Airlines’ Kunpeng Airlines was next in line to
be the launch operator, but it handed that mantle to Chengdu.
The ARJ21-700 is a 90-seat regional jet powered by two, fuselage-mounted
General Electric CF34-10A engines.
China is hoping that once the ARJ21 receives Chinese certification, it will
get FAA certification, making it the first Chinese commercial transport
aircraft to receive U.S. approval. The FAA has agreed in-principle to embark
on a shadow certification, which involves ensuring the CAAC certification
process is in line with FAA standards.
Passing the shadow certification process would make it easier for the ARJ21
to get FAA certification. Having FAA certification would help Comac to sell
the aircraft overseas.
Comac has sold the ARJ21 mostly to Chinese airlines. Its foreign customers
are GE Commercial Aviation Services and the Laos Government. Laos is a
political ally of China. GE is providing the engines for the ARJ21.
