China unveils its largest commercial jet

[Heracles 417]

Those commie bastards. They're catching up.

China unveils its largest commercial jet

September 9, 2009 - 10:44AM

China unveiled the design of what will be its largest home-produced commercial jet at a Hong Kong air show yesterday, demonstrating the country's ambition to be a global aviation giant.

An arm of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) exhibited a miniature of its C919 in Hong Kong, with some observers hailing the occasion as proof the fast-rising communist country has arrived in the industry.

"It's the first time that China has put a face in front of the global aviation industry," said Richard Thiele of Reed Exhibitions, organiser of the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, which began Tuesday.

The single-aisle aircraft was designed by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, or COMAC, and is part of China's long-term plan to break the duopoly of Airbus and Boeing in the production of large commercial aircraft.

"We still have a long way to go in comparison with those aviation industry "superpowers" such as the USA," said Wang Wenbin, COMAC's assistant general manager, at the show.

Wang said the C919 project "will set a landmark for the overall modernisation" of China, which has until recent years focused only on developing military aviation technology.

The jet, which COMAC has said seats between 168 and 190 passengers, is due to make its maiden flight in 2014 and be delivered to clients in 2016, said Wang.

He also announced that the company had received a total of 208 confirmed and unconfirmed orders for its 70-seater ARJ21 -- which stands for Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st Century -- China's first home-made commercial plane.

Apart from COMAC, another 10 Chinese companies -- from suppliers to aircraft management firms -- also debuted at the expo, the organiser said.

It is no coincidence the event is being held on Chinese soil.

The three-day biennial meet, hailed as one of the world's most influential air shows, was moved from Singapore to Hong Kong in 2007 to be closer to mainland China, now seen as the world's fastest growing aviation market.

Thiele, Reed's head of sales for aerospace and aviation, said despite airlines worldwide being hit badly by the global economic downturn, 10,000 visitors and 356 firms are expected to take part in Asian Aerospace.

Lin Zuoming, president of AVIC, told the media last year that their goal was to realise 1000 billion yuan (A$169 billion) of revenue by 2017.

Much of that business is expected to come from domestic demand -- as China's economy booms, more of its people can afford to take holidays and its airlines will need more planes to get Chinese passengers to their destinations.

Chinese media reports have estimated the country's airlines would need a total of 1600 new passenger jets by 2020 and 3,000 by 2050, costing hundreds of billions of dollars.

However, while state-sponsored Chinese companies might have the determination and the budget to compete with Western aviation titans, some industry experts believe the path to global dominance will be challenging.

Martin Craigs, president of Aerospace Forum Asia, a non-profit group to advance awareness of the aerospace business, said aircraft manufacturing required a highly complex integration of technology and good marketing.

"It would be naive to think that it's going to be simple," he said.

"Airlines are hyper-sensitive to operating costs, fuel efficiency and life-time maintenance support when choosing aircraft. They need certainty and no political, technological and commercial risks."

Andrew Herdman, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, a Malaysia-based trade organisation for the region's carriers, said it was unrealistic to think Chinese airlines would automatically buy home-made jets.

"Chinese airlines, when deciding whether to buy from Airbus, Boeing or other aircraft manufacturers will weigh the factors up dispassionately," he said.

A less risky alternative for China would be to invest its resources into the research and development of aircraft components and parts, he added.

He also warned that, while the backing of the state gives firms such as AVIC financial clout, it could also dissuade some buyers.

"The history of national aircraft ventures with political goals inherent in their projects is not something that seem to be taken up by consumers," he said.

Follow Traveller on Twitter.

AFP

Edited September 9, 2009 by Booyah!

[Peikko 1,575]

It'll only sell internationally if they put in seats

[Heracles 417]

It'll only sell internationally if they put in seats

Well it just goes to show that the bullshit we hear from the likes of Matt and co are exactly that bullshit. These countries with high federalized governments are pooling their resources and rapidly catching up. What are we doing here? arguing. Best time to beat your foe is when they are having internal strife.

Edited September 9, 2009 by Booyah!

[Peikko 1,575]

People who's point of view centres around strict adherence to a given ideology are well, challenged is the most polite word to use

It was the Chinese that proposed standing room tickets though, no?

[Heracles 417]

People who's point of view centres around strict adherence to a given ideology are well, challenged is the most polite word to use

It was the Chinese that proposed standing room tickets though, no?

The article on the logic of discussing health care, in my signature, says it all. People seek information to reinforce their opinions, rather than allow the facts to inform their views. Matt, for example, will find any and every 1920's article he can, to support his views; however, he refuses to accept the reality that no one has successfully used or implemented those totally free-market ideals and been successful; And for good reason.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

It will probably contain toxic materials and poison everyone on board. They will probably use the jet exhaust to pressurise the cabin. Plus it will be built by 10 year old kids chained to ttheir work stations.

[DEDixon 39]

does it have a coal burner aboard?

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Ehhh the Boeing 747-400 seats 403 people. Its been on the market for many years. I'm sure many of us have ridden on it.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Why can't it fly without that post holding it in the air? Oh, it's a model!

I am impressed. I was expecting something more like this:

[Heracles 417]

Ehhh the Boeing 747-400 seats 403 people. Its been on the market for many years. I'm sure many of us have ridden on it.

To bad they have not sold too many of those lately. Actually not one this year.

[Pooky 3,784]

Ehhh the Boeing 747-400 seats 403 people. Its been on the market for many years. I'm sure many of us have ridden on it.

To bad they have not sold too many of those lately. Actually not one this year.

Then there's the New Generation 747-8, which may not even get off the drawing board.

And don't start with the 787 "Dreamliner", which is rapidly turning into the "Nightmare Bird". Will it ever get off the ground?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Ehhh the Boeing 747-400 seats 403 people. Its been on the market for many years. I'm sure many of us have ridden on it.

To bad they have not sold too many of those lately. Actually not one this year.

Then there's the New Generation 747-8, which may not even get off the drawing board.

And don't start with the 787 "Dreamliner", which is rapidly turning into the "Nightmare Bird". Will it ever get off the ground?

Boeing is going through some of the same kind of issues with the 787 as Airbus Industry did with the A380. The latter has made it off the ground, though, and is now in service.

As for this Chinese plane, I don't know. If it's anything like the substandard cars they produce, I wouldn't dare get on one of those. Nor do I think would there be a large market for them outside of China and perhaps some third world countries.

[Pooky 3,784]

Ehhh the Boeing 747-400 seats 403 people. Its been on the market for many years. I'm sure many of us have ridden on it.

To bad they have not sold too many of those lately. Actually not one this year.

Then there's the New Generation 747-8, which may not even get off the drawing board.

And don't start with the 787 "Dreamliner", which is rapidly turning into the "Nightmare Bird". Will it ever get off the ground?

Boeing is going through some of the same kind of issues with the 787 as Airbus Industry did with the A380. The latter has made it off the ground, though, and is now in service.

As for this Chinese plane, I don't know. If it's anything like the substandard cars they produce, I wouldn't dare get on one of those. Nor do I think would there be a large market for them outside of China and perhaps some third world countries.

It's main market is intended to be the internal Chinese market and their regional airlines. There is way more demand than supply there right now, and this type of airliner will allow Chinese regional airlines to grow into their market.

Plus, the Chinese are realistic enough to understand that global demand is likely to be satisfied by Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, Bombardier and Mitsubishi, all of which are known quantities, qualitatively.

[dalegg 143]

ehh. China unveiled a Vespa copy-cat scooter and I bought that. I've brought it back into the shop 3 times already. Having a bad carburator and battery on a scooter that can't go 40 mph is one thing...this they can keep.

Edited September 11, 2009 by dalegg