Air TransportCOMAC accelerates development of C929 widebody
China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) has stepped up development of its C929 widebody aircraft, outlining recent progress during the Singapore Airshow as the program moves deeper into design and early testing phases.
The manufacturer has increased the pace of engineering work on the C929, with direct participation from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), according to South China Morning Post.
Specialists from the regulator are involved in design reviews, technical feedback and the early handling of selected certification-related assessments, a level of interaction that goes beyond earlier Chinese commercial aircraft programs
Preliminary wind tunnel testing has started in recent months, one of the first tangible steps in the aircraft’s aerodynamic validation. COMAC has not disclosed whether the tests involved scale models or partial airframe sections.
Avionics agreement
COMAC has also signed a letter of intent with Aviage Systems to cooperate on the development of the C929’s core avionics processing system. Aviage is a joint venture equally owned by General Electric and AVIC.
The agreement covers the aircraft’s central avionics computer, which manages key electronic functions such as navigation, communications, flight control and system monitoring. While the deal addresses a critical onboard system, it represents only part of the wider technical challenges facing the program.
Engine remains unresolved
One of the main open issues for the C929 is propulsion. COMAC has not announced a powerplant selection for the aircraft. China does not currently field an in-service turbofan for large commercial aircraft, despite several domestic engine development efforts.
Earlier iterations of the widebody program, when it was known as the CR929 and pursued jointly with Russia, were expected to rely on the PD-35 engine. That option is no longer viable following Western sanctions on Russia, leaving COMAC without a confirmed solution for the aircraft’s “heart”.
Type certification by the FAA and EASA is still a long way off
The C929 is planned to seat up to around 280 passengers, placing it in direct competition with aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A330neo. Air China has signed a preliminary agreement to act as the launch customer for the type.
At the Singapore Airshow, COMAC focused its outreach on potential customers in Southeast Asia, with delegations from Indonesia among those seeking information on the aircraft.
COMAC already manufactures the C909 regional jet and the C919 narrowbody, but neither model has yet secured type certification in Europe or the United States.
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