Comac is confident of achieving Chinese certification for its ARJ21 regional jet programme by year-end, and affirms that getting an endorsement from the US Federal Aviation Administration is still in its plans.
Deputy general manager of sales and marketing Dang Tiehong says he is expecting FAA certification to come two years after certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
He adds that first delivery to launch customer Chengdu Airlines has been scheduled for the first half of 2015.
Comac does not need FAA certification since its backlog for 258 ARJ21-700s are all from Chinese airlines and leasing companies. The airframer is, however, keen to get Western certification for the ARJ21 and, even more, for its C919 narrowbody, so as to put the programmes on the international stage.
The ARJ21 has completed all necessary ground tests, and about 70% of flight-test modules, accumulating more than 2,400 flights and 4,600 flight hours.
Key modules such as stall tests, minimum unstick speed and natural icing have all been completed.
“For the past year, the certification process has been smooth. We completed a range of important modules, and this has greatly increased our confidence in achieving certification this year,” says Dang.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
