LEITHEN FRANCIS / SINGAPORE
China Aviation Industry I (AVIC I) expects to finalise the configuration for its planned ARJ21 regional jet family in June, while engine manufacturer GE Aircraft Engines will conduct an interim propulsion system review that month.
GE is developing the CF34-10A turbofan for the Chinese government-funded 79- to 99-seat aircraft, which will be manufactured in Shanghai. The twin-engined aircraft is set for certification in 2005 and entry into service in 2007.
The CF34-10A was selected as the aircraft's powerplant late last year by programme company AVIC I Commercial Aircraft (ACAC).
The engine manufacturer says it will begin "subscale ARJ21 aerodynamic component and nacelle testing" in April and soon after will start flight testing the CF34-10 engine using its Boeing 747 flying testbed.
The CF34-10 uses a scaled-down version of the core of the CFM International CFM56-7, which powers Boeing Next Generation 737s.
Source: Flight International
