A spate of supplier signings for Comac's C919 project is a clear sign of momentum in the Chinese airliner programme, says Honeywell Aerospace's Europe, Middle East, Africa and India president Paolo Carmassi.
Carmassi, whose former posting was as vice-president Asia Pacific for Honeywell Turbo Technologies, says the C919 programme "has all the connotations of speed in China".
Like the automotive industry, which Honeywell is also active in, he says it is clear that aerospace is being treated as a "pillar industry" by China. "There's a predictable series of events" to come, he says.
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© Tim Bicheno Brown/Flightglobal |
Along with local partners, Honeywell will supply the fly-by-wire system and was also selected to provide C919 wheels and brakes.
Other recent signings include GE Aviation, for avionics, and Eaton, to provide C919 fuel and hydraulic conveyance systems.
Carmassi says that about three years ago Honeywell moved to establish a local technology architecture in China, and this matured as Comac's C919 activities began to build momentum. Then, about 18 months ago, Honeywell set up a research centre in China to support all its divisions, including aerospace.
That operation is small - Honeywell began setting up central research centres 15 years ago and has nearly 10,000 engineers in its India centre - but it will play a growing role in supporting the Comac project, says Carmassi.
Source: Flight Daily News
