The brand new CR929 aircraft, produced in a partnership between COMAC and UAC, state-owned companies in China and Russia, respectively, should start production later this year.
at least it's the Yang Zhigang's word, general engineer at the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd (COMAC), which is betting on negotiations to move forward with the production of the first aircraft.
Yang said that the start of construction on the CR929 means that the entire design phase, including the specific shape, size, material, operating systems and various parts suppliers of the aircraft, will be "frozen".
That is, the plane's project is practically concluded, and the first parts that were frozen will have their production started later this year, probably in Russia, which leads the engineering part of the project.
The first customers should also be announced this year, something that has not yet occurred despite the project being officially launched.
The first flight of the CR929 remains scheduled for some period between 2023 and 2024, with certification scheduled for 2027, despite delays caused by disagreements between Chinese and Russians.
The first commercial flight of the CR929, likely on an airline from China or Russia, remains scheduled for sometime between 2028 and 2029, and depends on how the project progresses.
What should make the CR929 certification difficult is the presence of western systems and components and others developed in Russia/China. As a result, engineers need to certify the plane “twice” due to the different systems.
Russia bets on propulsion using a new generation engine developed by Aviadvigatel, based on the recent PD-14, released on the MC-21.
COMAC, in turn, bets on the CR929 using an engine similar to that of the Boeing 787 to improve sales in the West. It is expected to sell at least 1000 CR929 aircraft over the next few years.
