China’s Homegrown Jumbo Passenger Jet C919 Takes to the Sky

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China sent its homegrown large passenger plane C919 into sky on May 5. Thousands of people witnessed the historic moment of the aircraft’s debut.

The flight makes China the fourth jumbo jet producer after the United States, Europe and Russia. It also marks a milestone for the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the Shanghai-based manufacturer of the C919. The C919 project was launched in 2006. Two years later, COMAC was established in Shanghai, considering the city’s technology advantage in the aviation industry. The C919 is also the joint outcome of global cooperation and global talent. Through consistently researching mature aircraft models, adopting scientific methods, and utilizing the resources of the industry, and technology and talent from all over the world, COMAC managed to create its own passenger jets, said He Dongfeng, vice-chairman and president of COMAC.

Before the flight, the C919 has passed a series of strict tests since rolling off the assembly line in November 2015. To date, COMAC has received 570 orders from 23 clients for the C919.

November 2, 2015: The C919 rolls off the assembly line in Shanghai. by Wan Quan/China Pictorial
November 2, 2015: The C919 rolls off the assembly line in Shanghai. by Wan Quan/China Pictorial

April 20, 2017: COMAC engineers make adjustments to the C919 before a high-speed taxiing test in Shanghai. by Wan Quan/China Pictorial
April 20, 2017: COMAC engineers make adjustments to the C919 before a high-speed taxiing test in Shanghai. by Wan Quan/China Pictorial

 

May 5, 2017: China’s homegrown large passenger plane C919 takes off on its maiden flight in Shanghai. by Xu Xun/China Pictorial
May 5, 2017: China’s homegrown large passenger plane C919 takes off on its maiden flight in Shanghai. by Xu Xun/China Pictorial

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
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

May 5, 2017: The C919 takes a safe landing in Shanghai. by Xu Xun/China Pictorial
May 5, 2017: The C919 takes a safe landing in Shanghai. by Xu Xun/China Pictorial

May 5, 2017: Pilots wave to spectators after the safe landing. by Chen Jian/China Pictorial
May 5, 2017: Pilots wave to spectators after the safe landing. by Chen Jian/China Pictorial

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