Prototype of China's first homegrown jumbo jet debuts in Beijing
The prototype of C919, China's first independently-developed jumbo jet, is being showcased in Beijing from March 3 to March 14. This time a full-scale front half of the prototype will be showcased.
The actual first jumbo jet is planned to have its maiden flight in 2014, and to be brought into use in 2016, said Wu Guanghui, the committeeman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and vice general manager of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd.
Currently, 100 orders, domestic and overseas, have been received, including the GE Aviation Capital Service (GECAS).
The C919 jumbo jet is a short-range commercial aircraft with Chinese-owned independent intellectual property rights. The draft design was finished last year and the Product Qualification Certificate application is already being processed. The comprehensive design as well as the manufacturing of spare parts will start this year.
Around 10 percent to 20 percent of the C919 jet's materials are domestically made at present. Wider applications of the materials are expected to spur the development of relevant industries.
