State-run China Aviation Industry I (AVIC I) has chosen more component suppliers for its new ARJ21 regional jet, which is due to enter service in 2007.
According to Tao Zhi Hui, assistant to the president of ARJ21 programme company AVIC I Commercial Aircraft (ACAC), Parker Hannifin of the USA will provide the hydraulics and fuel system for China's 70- to 99-seat regional jet, while Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse will provide the environmental control, bleed air subsystem and wing anti-ice system.
Liebherr is also involved in a bid with the USA's Aircraft Braking Systems (ABSC) to supply the aircraft's landing gear, competing against a combined offering from Messier-Dowty and Messier-Bugatti. The other competition is for the primary flight control system, with Moog and Thales up against a team of Honeywell and Parker Hannifin. AVIC I will make a decision on these bids this month, says Tao.
Meanwhile, Tao has ruled out taking on the 728 programme purchased from the administrators last month by Shanghai investment firm D'Long. He believes that D'Long "just bought it to sell it and make money".
Source: Flight International
