China has conceded that the first engines on the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China's (Comac) 919 are likely to be western engines although the country's main aerospace conglomerate is still hoping to provide Chinese-made engines as well.
The engine company's deputy general manager Wang Zhilin told state-run news media that the first batch of 919s are likely to be powered by foreign-made engines but hopefully Chinese-made engines will be used on later 919s.
Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) Commercial Engines says its engine for the 919 will be unveiled in 2016.
But Comac has set 2016 as the 919's year for entry-into-service.
If AVIC Commercial Engines unveils its engine in 2016 it will still need to be certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China which will take months and possibly more than a year.
It is also possible that the Chinese-made engine will be developed with the help of a western engine company.
An official at the Chinese engine company tells ATI that AVIC Commercial Engines (ACE) is in negotiations with western engine companies to help develop the Chinese engine.
The official also says the foreign company may get a 30% equity stake in AVIC Commercial Engines (ACE).
AVIC owns 40% of ACE, the Shanghai municipal government has 15% and electricity conglomerate Shanghai Electric has 15%. This leave a 30% stake yet to be allocated.
ACE was established earlier this year and is headquartered in Shanghai, the home of Comac.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
