Comac engages backup suppliers to prevent C919 delays
By:
SHANGHAI
Source:
03:12 25 Aug 2015
Comac is using a dual supplier system to manufacture critical and potentially challenging parts of the C919 airframe, to ensure quality control and to prevent any major delays to the programme.
These include the aircraft's aft fuselage as well as its vertical and horizontal stabilisers, all of which are made of composites, Comac's chief engineer Jiang Liping tells Flightglobal in an interview in .
She explains that Chinese suppliers are unfamiliar with the use of composites and that the airframer's concern is that the quality and strength of the parts produced by one supplier may not match the required standards.
An example is how the first aft fuselage delivered by Corporation had to be strengthened.
Comac also engaged two suppliers to build the C919's centre wingbox and mid fuselage due to anticipated complexities in the wing-to-body join of the aircraft.
"We do this so that we have a backup... the costs will go up but this is for quality control and also to ensure that the the programme's timeline is under control," says Jiang.
She adds, however, that Comac has stuck to the main suppliers thus far, since the manufactured parts have generally met standards.
Comac has largely completed the final assembly of the first flight test aircraft for the C919 programme, and is working towards a year-end roll-out followed by first flight in 2016.
PICTURES: Comac confident of year-end roll-out for C919
By:
SHANGHAI
Source:
01:23 25 Aug 2015
Comac says C919 suppliers are due to deliver all systems of the first aircraft by October, allowing the aircraft to be rolled out by the end of 2015.
Speaking to Flightglobal at Comac’s final assembly centre near ’s airport, chief engineer Jiang Liping says assembly of the airframe is largely complete, and that installations of harnesses, cables and pipes has started.
The Chinese airframer has also taken delivery of its first Leap-1C engine, as well as the Liebherr landing gear. The aircraft's second powerplant is due to in September.
After roll-out, aircraft 101 needs to undergo a series of pre-flight preparations, including engine tests, lightning tests and taxi tests before it can make its first flight.
Under the best circumstances, pre-flight preparation could be completed within four months following roll-out, says Jiang. This means that the C919 could make its first flight around April or May of 2016.
Flightglobal/Mavis Toh
When Flightglobal visited the manufacturer's sub-assembly hangar, aircraft 101 was resting on struts with its wing-to-body join completed. Comac had removed the aircraft's tail cone, as well as its vertical and horizontal stabilisers as it had to strengthen the composite aft-fuselage, says Jiang. The aircraft's windows have also been replaced with smaller standard-size ones, after the manufacturer discovered that its original larger windows affect the strength of the fuselage.
The aircraft's radome as well as the winglets have not been attached. Jiang says the airframe will move to the final assembly hangar next month, where its engines will be attached and systems installed.
Next month, Comac will also start final assembly of aircraft 102 as well as a static strength test aircraft. The mid-fuselage of aircraft 102 has already been delivered, with other sections of the fuselage due to arrive by the end of the month.
Flightglobal/Mavis Toh
Comac is building six flight test aircraft and two ground test aircraft for its C919 programme.
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Assembly of amphibious plane AG600 underway in China
: Wu Lei 丨 CCTV.com
08-10-2015 13:07 BJT
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China has begun assembling its self-developed amphibious aircraft—one that might be the world's largest.
Work on the aircraft began last month and is being undertaken by Chinese manufacturer Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company, in the southern city of Zhuhai.
Workers are still busying with the fuselage of the amphibious aircraft-AG600. The manufacturer’s vice president, Hu Zhian, said it will take another four months to finish the whole assembly. This aircraft will play a key role in forest fire control and maritime search and rescue.
Workers are still busying with the fuselage of the amphibious aircraft-AG600. The manufacturer’s Vice President Hu Zhian said it will take another 4 months to finish the whole assembly. This aircraft will play a key role in forest fire control and maritime search and rescue.
"To extinguish forest fires, it can take on 12 metric tons of water from a lake or sea within 20 seconds to pour on the fire. The aircraft can carry 50 people on a maritime search and rescue mission. It will have an operational range of above 4,000 kilometers," Hu said.
Powered by four turboprop engines, it will be the world's largest amphibious aircraft, as far as its maximum takeoff weight and flight range are concerned.
"This amphibious plane is one of the three big plane projects approved by the State Council. It is a key facility of national rescue mission projects. It’s multi-functional. The making of this plane also fills a gap in China's general aviation industry," Hu said.
The aircraft maker has already received 17 domestic orders. Many global buyers have also shown their interests.
The entire aircraft is likely to be ready by the end of 2015 and will undertake its first maiden flight by the first half of 2016.
Because of its overall advantages, the company is confident that the aircraft will take a big share in the global market in the years to come.
COMAC ARJ21 to enter service in February 2016
Sep 2, 2015
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) said China's first regional commercial jet, the ARJ21-700, will enter service in February next year. Entry into service will follow two months of pilot training and bedding-in trials.