Third C919 jet makes maiden test flight

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A third C919 prototype passenger jet completed its maiden flight after landing Friday afternoon in Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The China-made jet took off shortly after 11 a.m. and the flight lasted one hour 38 minutes.

After the maiden flight, the prototype will conduct test flights in the northwestern city of Xi'an, with a focus on flutter, speed adjustment, load, control and performance.

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The first and second C919s made their maiden flights in May and December last year, respectively.

They are currently conducting test flights in various Chinese airports.

Three more C919 prototypes are being manufactured and expected to complete test flights next year.

With a range of 4,075 kilometers, the C919 jet is comparable to the updated Airbus 320 and Boeing's new generation 737.

Why is this maiden flight different?

Pilot Xu Yuanzheng, also co-pilot of the second C919's maiden flight, said that the flight time and airspace of this flight was basically the same as that of the first two aircraft.

Because of the experience accumulated from test flights of the first two C919, the process of the third maiden flight could be simplified.

VCG Photo

"The tested subjects and time were simplified," said Xu. "We will need three to four more sorties, and will then fly the aircraft to Yanlang [in Xi'an] for a comprehensive test flight."

It took about six months to get from the C919's maiden flight to Xi'an. The duration this time will be shortened to around one month.

The maiden flight of the third C919 was not only faster, the issues found during the flight test of the first two aircraft were optimized and improved on this C919.

(With inputs from Xinhua)