China’s ambitious foray into the aviation industry has reached a pivotal stage with the development of its home-grown C929 widebody passenger jet, as announced by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac). The C929 project, a joint venture with the Russian aerospace and defense company United Aircraft Corporation, has entered what Comac’s marketing director Zhang Xiaoguang described as “a crucial stage” at a recent science and technology innovation conference in Shanghai.
According to Zhang, this stage signifies that the overall technical scheme of the aircraft has been determined, paving the way for the design and manufacturing of systems and components. The C929, formerly known as the CR929, is designed to accommodate approximately 280-400 seats and boasts an impressive range of 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles).
The development of the C929 has not been without its challenges. Speculation has been rife since last year about Russia’s continued involvement in the project, with rumors suggesting that it had withdrawn from the partnership. However, China and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in December, pledging to “actively promote cooperation projects in the joint development of long-range widebody passenger aircraft and heavy helicopters.”
The C929 represents a significant technological leap for China’s aviation industry, with more than 50 percent of its structure expected to be made from carbon fiber composite materials and 15 percent from titanium alloy. This places it in line with the standards set by leading aircraft models such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350.
Manufacturing milestones are also being achieved, with Chinese fuselage manufacturer Huarui Aerospace Manufacturing set to deliver the first middle section of the C929 by September 2027. Comac’s dedication to advancing its aviation capabilities is further underscored by the success of its C919 narrowbody passenger jet, which has completed over 240,000 kilometers (149,130 miles) of test flights and recently entered commercial operation with China Eastern Airlines.
Comac has also made significant strides in the regional aircraft market, delivering 128 of its ARJ21 narrowbody regional aircraft. Looking ahead, the company aims to secure large-scale orders for its large aircraft, laying the groundwork for increased production, delivery, and operation.
China’s push to challenge the dominance of US-based Boeing and European multinational corporation Airbus in civil aviation is part of a broader strategy to showcase its prowess in advanced manufacturing. The C929 and C919 projects stand as testament to China’s ambition to become a major player in the global aviation industry, signaling a new chapter in the country’s technological and industrial development.
(Source: Reuters | SCMP | Market Screener | Mentour Pilot)
