China’s home-build C919 launches first long-distance test flight

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China’s domestically-made airplane C919 started its first long-distance test flight from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Yanliang Airport in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province at 11:38 a.m. BJT (0338 GMT ), Friday, according to the local media, embarking on its further development tests and access to Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA).

This C919 will maintain a similar flight altitude to the regular civilian flights, just at a slower speed. Both the flight height and speed will surpass those in its maiden flight.

"The flight altitude will be 7,800 meters with the cruising speed of 280nm/h. The jet will fly 1,400 kilometers in about three hours," said Cai Jun, captain of the maiden flight of the C919.

Cai Jun, captain of the maiden flight of the C919. /Photo news.china.com

The flight will be more difficult and complicated than regular flights, Cai added. As the jet hasn’t equipped with the meteorological radar or the entire range of telecommunication services, it requires the ground controller to provide the weather forecast and communication services.

The passenger jet has completed five trial flights since its maiden flight on May 5, three in the past week, in preparation for this first long-distance flight.

"Neither the aircraft nor our staff was idle in the four months between the first two trial flights," said Qian Jin, chief commander of the ferry flight. "Extensive upgrading and optimization for the jet were done during that period in the lab to better adjust to the ferry flight."

The crew participated in the design optimization during that period and conducted targeted training based on the optimization, Qian added.

The CofA attests that the aircraft meets all design regulations and is suitable for safe flight. It is a must for the C919 to enter the international market. The jet will go through more complicated trial flights for acquiring the certification.