China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC 1) plans to freeze the design of its 85-seat ARJ21-700 regional jet next month.
Following first metal cutting last December, vice-president Tao Zhihui says the manufacturer is on course for a first flight of the first of three prototypes in June 2006, leading to certification by the Civil Aviation Administration of China in October 2007.
AVIC 1 has 35 launch orders for the regional jet from Shandong Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Shenzhen Financial Leasing. AVIC 1 is now keen to secure international customers for the aircraft, he says, adding that the hot and high performance of the aircraft is expected to be attractive to carriers throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The manufacturer is targeting at least 10 more aircraft orders this year, he adds.
Risk-sharing partners on the programme include General Electric supplying the CF34-10A, Rockwell Collins supplying its ProLine 21 avionics system and Hamilton Sundstrand supplying the electrical system and auxiliary power unit. AVIC 1 will announce control panel manufacturer Eaton as a new partner on the programme at the show.
AVIC 1 is concentrating efforts on the baseline passenger ARJ21-700, but is also gauging interest in a stretched 105-seat ARJ21-900, with the manufacturer requiring 20-30 orders to launch that programme. AVIC 1 is planning to offer a freighter version of the ARJ21-700, in addition to looking at the concept of a business jet variant.
EMMA KELLY
Source: Flight Daily News
