COMAC C919

sunnymaxi

Major
Registered Member
He dodged the reporter's question regarding short-term plan B. In other words, whilst the CJ1000 is on track, there appears to be NO plan B. As implied, on a positive note, as soon as the CJ1000 is ready, all roadblocks would be cleared as the CJ1000 appears to have hit no roadblock.
its obvious, there is no plan B regarding Engines.. its either LEAP or wait for CJ-1000A. fortunately domestic engine exceed expectations in testing. soon AECC will put engine on C919 for final evaluation.

CJ-1000A is at least a generation ahead in comparison with WS-20 machine.
 
Last edited:

lcloo

Major
Here are some points for thought on completely new engine development.

For a new company with no prior experience, a 20-year development timeline for a turbofan engine capable of powering a 737-sized aircraft is ambitious—but not unreasonable, especially if the goal is to create something innovative and competitive.

Why 20 Years Might Be Acceptable​

  • High technical complexity: Designing a high-bypass turbofan engine for narrow-body jets like the 737 requires mastery of aerodynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, and manufacturing.
  • Certification hurdles: Meeting FAA or EASA standards is a massive undertaking, especially for a first-time developer.
  • Infrastructure building: A new company must build everything from scratch—R&D labs, testing facilities, supply chains, and skilled teams.
  • Funding cycles: Securing consistent investment over two decades is challenging and can slow progress.
  • Benchmarking against giants: Established players like CFM International (GE + Safran) and Pratt & Whitney took decades to reach their current capabilities.

Realistic Expectations​

Even industry veterans took 15–20 years to bring revolutionary engines like the GTF to market. For a newcomer, the timeline could stretch longer unless they:
  • Partner with experienced suppliers or OEMs
  • License existing technology
  • Focus on incremental innovation rather than radical breakthroughs
So yes—20 years is acceptable, especially if the company is aiming for certified, commercial-grade performance and not just a proof-of-concept. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
 
Top