Comac C919
The Comac C919 is a narrow-body twinjet airliner developed by Chinese aerospace manufacturer Comac.
The development programme was launched in 2008. Production of the prototype began in December 2011, with the first prototype being ready on 2 November 2015 and having its maiden flight on 5 May 2017.
Its first commercial deliveries are expected in 2021 to China Eastern Airlines.
The aircraft, primarily constructed with aluminium alloys, is to be powered by either CFM International LEAP or ACAE CJ-1000A turbofan engines, and be able to carry 156 to 168 passengers in a normal operating configuration up to 5,555 km.
It is intended to compete primarily with the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo.
, Comac has commitments including 305 firm orders, mostly from Chinese leasing companies or airlines.
Naming
For the model number, the C stands for "COMAC" and "China"; 9 is a homophonic pun in Chinese with "forever"; while 19 refers to its capacity of 190 passengers. The C also has the implication that forms an "ABC" parallel situation with Airbus and Boeing. In Mandarin Chinese, 9 is a homophone of 久, meaning "forever" as a Chengyu in.Development
The 2008 program launch initially targeted a maiden flight in 2014. Comac applied for a type certificate for the aircraft from the Civil Aviation Authority of China on 28 October 2010. At that time the company intended to manufacture up to 2,300 aircraft of the type. In June 2011, COMAC and Irish low-cost airline Ryanair signed an agreement to co-operate on the development of the C919. In 2012 Airbus' chief strategist Marwan Lahoud assumed that the aircraft would offer competition to Airbus by 2020.From 2010 to 2015 the Chinese cyberthreat actor Turbine Panda, linked to the Ministry of State Security’s Jiangsu Bureau, penetrated a number of the C919's foreign components manufacturers including Honeywell and Safran. Crowdstrike argued that the operations involved both cyber intrusion and theft as well as HUMINT operations with the aim of transitioning component manufacturing to domestic companies using stolen intellectual property and industrial processes.
On 24 November 2011, Comac announced the completion of the joint definition phase, marking the end of the preliminary design phase for the C919, with estimated completion of the detailed design phase in 2012. Production of the first C919 prototype began on 9 December 2011. The C919's aerodynamics were designed with the help of the Tianhe-2 supercomputer. The annual production was targeted at 150 planes by 2020. Canada's Bombardier Aerospace started collaborating in March 2012 on supply chain services, electrical systems, human interface, cockpit, flight training, flight-test support, sales, and marketing.
Its announced development budget was 58 billion yuan but its actual cost was estimated at well over $20 billion. The first prototype was expected to complete final assembly in 2014 and perform its first flight in 2015; however, delivery was delayed again until 2018 due to technical difficulties and supply issues. At the November 2014 Zhuhai Airshow, it was announced that the first flight would be delayed to 2017. On 2 November 2015, Comac rolled out its first C919 aircraft.
In May 2018, the development of a composite wing completed in 2012 was revealed years after abandoning it for a metallic one, as static and damage tolerance tests were completed, verifying the structural design and strength before full-size composite wingbox tests.
On 12 July, the static test aircraft simulated a 2.5g manoeuvre with a 150% ultimate load, bending the wings at the tips by nearly three metres for three seconds.
Flight testing
2017
High-speed taxi tests were completed in April 2017 and the first flight took place on 5 May 2017. At the time, Comac had a planned test programme of 4,200 flight hours and introduction to service in 2020. It was estimated that this could be delayed into 2021.The European Aviation Safety Agency is intended to validate the Chinese type certificate.
The 4,200 hours of testing planned were higher than the 3,000 hours typically required for the Airbus or Boeing narrowbodies, but lower than the 5,000 hours needed for the ARJ21.
Comac had its second prototype ready on 28 July 2017, aiming to fly it within the year for engine, APU, fuel system and extreme weather tests.
The flight-test plan included six aircraft.
On 28 September, it made its second flight at, which lasted 2 hours 46 minutes, although it was supposed to last one more hour.
The five-month delay between first and second flights, while the second prototype was being ground-tested, was extraordinary: in 2013 the Airbus A350 flew again after five days and in 2015 the troubled Mitsubishi MRJ flew again after eight days.
On 3 November, it made its third flight in 3h 45min, reaching.
It was transferred on 10 November from Shanghai to Xian to continue its flight test program, a 2h 24min, flight reaching and.
The second prototype made its first flight on 17 December 2017.
The flight test program allocated the first three prototypes for aircraft performance and engine and power systems testing,
the fourth prototype for avionics and electrical system, and
the fifth and sixth prototypes for passenger facilities, including the cabin and information system.
2018
The delay between first and subsequent flights underlined the program immaturity by maiden flight: flying early at low speed and altitude is possible but faster and higher is limited by aeroelastic flutter needing ground vibration testing and aircraft instrumentation which were not ready in May.Due to flight testing problems, the 2020 introduction previously scheduled was delayed to 2021, for China Eastern Airlines.
In February 2018, the first prototype was flying more than once a week.
In June 2018, Aviation Week reported flight-test aircraft grounding for modifications, extending the schedule by three months but maintaining a 2020 certification target.
The two prototypes needed their flaps and tailplanes modified, due to delamination of the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic elevators.
The third test aircraft was also being modified and maximum-rate pressurization was tested.
As three other planes will be available in 2019, Comac maintains first deliveries for 2021.
Comac denied any grounding and highlighted that modifications were part of the flight test process, stating the two first aircraft were flying stability tests and checking systems.
The first was calibrated and had its counterweight and trailing cone systems modified while the second had its functions and systems checked.
The third was in final assembly with its wing and fuselage joined, cables and systems were being installed for a first flight target by the end of the year.
On 12 July, the second prototype flew from Shanghai-Pudong to Dongying Airport in 1h 46min to allow for various meteorological conditions testing.
In September, Comac expected to conduct 1,500 test flights for over 2,000 flying hours before the first delivery and planned to fly the third prototype before the end of 2018.
In October 2018, the flight-deck design was re-evaluated to comply with US FAR Part 25.1302, not necessary for CAAC but for FAA certification to sell it outside China, a result of inexperience of the aircraft design process. Developing a Chinese engine to replace the CFM Leap-1C would take at least another 15 years.
At that time the two prototypes had flown less than 150 h, averaging less than 5 h per month each.
To achieve certification in December 2020 and first delivery in 2021, the planned 4,200 h of flight tests would need 33 hours a month each if the last four prototypes are evenly spaced before year-end-2019.
Newest airliner designs like the Airbus A350 needed a 2,600 hour test program, and the Mitsubishi MRJ is expected to need 3,000 h.
On October 15, 2018 ten Chinese nationals including intelligence officials were indicted in the US for working with COMAC to steal the secrets of thirteen foreign aerospace companies working on the C919.
By the end of 2018, the first prototype was to enter flutter flight tests after having completed ground tests.
The third prototype made its maiden flight on 28 December for 1h 38 min.
2019
A fourth prototype conducted its maiden flight on 1 August 2019 from Shanghai Pudong International Airport.A fifth prototype conducted its first flight on 24 October 2019, also from Shanghai airport; the fifth prototype was expected to test for extreme weather conditions, the environmental control system, drainage systems and electrical supplies.
Comac rescheduled its certification target from 2020 to 2021, with first delivery the following year.
The sixth prototype aircraft required for flight certification testing completed its maiden flight on December 27, 2019. At that time the aircraft was expected to enter commercial service with China Eastern Airlines in either 2021 or 2022.
Design
Configuration and performance
The dimensions of the C919 are quite similar to those of the Airbus A320; its fuselage is wide and high with a cross-section. This may allow for a common unit load device to be used for both aircraft. It has a wingspan. The aircraft's intended payload capacity will be 20.4 tonnes. The design calls for cruise at with an operating ceiling of 12,200 metres. There will be two variants: the standard version with a range, and a extended-range version.The C919 is a cautious design, similar to the 30 years older A320.
Construction
The center wing box, outer wing box, wing panels, flaps, and ailerons are planned to be built in Xi'an, China; the center fuselage sections are planned to be built in Hongdu, China. Aluminium-lithium alloys account for 8.8% of the structure and composite materials for 12%. The air frame will be made largely of aluminium alloy. Aircraft design and assembly is performed in Shanghai.Wings
The wing is supercritical, increasing aerodynamic efficiency by 20% and reducing drag by 8% compared to a non-supercritical one. The center wing box was originally intended to use carbon fibre composites. It was changed later to an aluminium design to reduce design complications.Systems
The engine's nacelle, thrust reverser and exhaust system will be provided by Nexcelle, with such features as an advanced inlet configuration, the extensive use of composites and acoustic treatment and an electrically operated thrust reverser. Michelin will supply Air X radial tyres.Its integrated modular avionics architecture is based on Ethernet.
The landing gear is made in China by a joint venture of Germany's Liebherr and Avic's Landing Gear Advanced Manufacturing Corp: Liebherr LAMC Aviation.
While the airframe is entirely made by Chinese Avic, most systems are made by Western-Chinese joint-ventures: with UTAS for the electric power, fire protection and lighting; with Rockwell Collins for the cabin systems and avionics, with Thales for the IFE, with Honeywell for the flight controls, APU, wheels and brakes; with Moog for the high lift system; with Parker for the hydraulics, actuators and fuel systems, with Liebherr for the landing gear and air management; and the CFM engine and Nexcelle nacelle are entirely foreign.
Engines
and CFM International proposed engines for the aircraft, the PW1000G and LEAP-1C respectively; the LEAP-1C was selected.AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engine Co was also tasked with developing an indigenous engine for the aircraft. The ACAE CJ-1000A was unveiled at the 2012 Zhuhai Airshow.
Assembly of the first CJ-1000AX engine was completed in 18 months in December 2017. The planned entry to service was 2021.
The engine first ran in May 2018 to 6,600 rpm core speed.
In February 2020, Reuters reported that the US government considered blocking GE from selling the LEAP-1C engine to Comac, citing concerns of reverse engineering, competition for Boeing, and military use of technology. President Donald Trump tweeted opposition, saying that national security should not be grounds for trade restrictions. The US eventually granted GE a license to sell the engines.
Market
In 2012 the C919 order book stood at 380 units worth US$26 billion, and averaging $ million. FlightGlobal's Ascend market values in 2013 were $49.2 million for the Airbus A320neo, % less than its $100.2 million list price and $51.4 million for the Boeing 737 MAX-8, % less than its $100.5 million list price.The Chinese airlines that have placed orders for the C919 already have either the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 in their fleets. In 2013, Chinese state-owned newspaper Global Times complained that an Aviation Week editorial about the bleak prospects for the aircraft "maliciously disparaged the future outlook for the C919".
COMAC aims to take a fifth of the global narrowbody market and a third of the Chinese market by 2035. It expects 2,000 sales in the next 20 years. China considers it as a source of national pride. The Financial Times claimed the C919 is outdated by 10–15 years compared to the latest versions of the A320 and Boeing 737, and will probably cost more to operate.
Its range of falls short of the of the A320neo and 737 Max 8, the C919 payload-range and economics are similar to the current single-aisles, but it will compete with the Neo and Max.
FlightGlobal forecasts 1,209 deliveries: 687 standard and 522 stretched variants, for 85% in China.
Orders
At the November 2010 Zhuhai Airshow, Comac announced orders for 55 C919 aircraft from six airlines, with an additional 45 options. The purchasing airlines or lessors included China Eastern Airlines, Air China, Hainan Airlines, China Southern Airlines, CDB Leasing Company, and GE Capital Aviation Services. On 19 October 2011, Chinese ICBC Leasing ordered 45 C919s and agreed to be the launch customer. On 11 November 2014, Comac announced at the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow that China Merchants Bank's aircraft leasing division made a firm commitment for 30 C919s, and that total orders were now up to 450 aircraft.At the June 2015 Paris Air Show, Ping An Leasing signed a letter of intent for 50 C919s, becoming one of Comac's largest customers, and Puren Group signed a letter of intent for seven C919s and seven ARJ21s, intended for the start-up Puren Airlines.
In November 2016 COMAC has received an order for 20 C919s including 5 firm from Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Financial Leasing and for 36 C919s from CITIC Group Financial Leasing including 18 firm.
While no down payments were needed before its maiden flight, 500,000 yuan were deposited subsequently for each firm order.
The last ICBC Leasing order for 55 on 5 December 2017 brought the order book to 785.
In February 2018, its total order book was for 815, before the order for 200 from HNA Group in June 2018, along 100 ARJ-21s.
As of 31 August 2018, FlightGlobal recenses 305 orders plus 45 options and 658 letters of intent: commitments.
As of March 2020, China Eastern Airlines subsidiary OTT Airlines is scheduled to be the launch customer for the C919.
| Customer | Firm orders | Options / | All | Date |
 Air China | 5 | 15 | 20 | 15 Nov 2010 |
| China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai | 5 | 15 | 20 | 15 Nov 2010 |
| China Southern Airlines, Guangzhou | 5 | 15 | 20 | 15 Nov 2010 |
 GE Capital Aviation Services + 13 Nov 2012 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 15 Nov 2010 |
| Hainan Airlines, Haikou, under Grand China Air | 15 | 5 | 20 | 15 Nov 2010 |
| ICBC Leasing, Beijing | 45 | 19 Oct 2011 | ||
| Sichuan Airlines | 20 | 21 Oct 2011 | ||
| BOCOMM Leasing, Shanghai | 30 | 23 Nov 2011 | ||
 China Aircraft Leasing Company, Hong Kong | 20 | 9 Dec 2011 | ||
| Bank of China – BOC Aviation | 20 | 14 Feb 2012 | ||
| China Development Bank Leasing Company, Beijing | 10 | 0 | 10 | 29 Jun 2012 |
| Agricultural Bank of China Financial Leasing | 45 | 2 Jul 2012 | ||
| China Construction Bank Financial Leasing | 26 | 24 | 50 | 19 Sep 2012 |
| Joy Air, Xi'an | 20 | 13 Nov 2012 | ||
| Hebei Airlines, Shijiazhuang | 20 | 13 Nov 2012 | ||
| Industrial Bank Co. Financial Leasing, Fuzhou | 20 | 29 Oct 2013 | ||
| China Merchants Bank Leasing | 0 | 30 | 30 | 12 Nov 2014 |
| Hua Xia Bank Financial Leasing | 0 | 20 | 20 | 30 Jan 2015 |
| Ping An Insurance Leasing, Shanghai | 0 | 50 | 50 | 17 Jun 2015 |
| Puren Group | 0 | 17 Jun 2015 | ||
 City Airways | 16 Sep 2015 | |||
| CITIC Group Financial Leasing | 18 | 18 | 36 | 1 Nov 2016 |
| Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Financial Leasing Co | 5 | 15 | 20 | 1 Nov 2016 |
| China Everbright Group Financial Leasing Co | 30 | 30 | 13 Jun 2017 | |
| China Nuclear E&C Group | 20 | 20 | 40 | 19 Sep 2017 |
| Huabao Leasing | 15 | 15 | 30 | 19 Sep 2017 |
| AVIC International Leasing | 15 | 15 | 30 | 19 Sep 2017 |
| Agricultural Bank of China Financial Leasing | 20 | 10 | 30 | 19 Sep 2017 |
| ICBC Leasing, Beijing | 55 | 5 Dec 2017 | ||
| HNA Group | 200 | 2 Jun 2018 | ||
| Total | 305 |