Chinese Aviation Industry Airborne with GE-Powered ARJ21 Regional Jet

SHANGHAI, China --- With the maiden flight on November 28 of Chinas first domestically developed regional jet aircraft, the flight test program for the GE-powered ARJ21 aircraft is now underway.>> The ARJ21 manufacturer, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, LTD (COMAC), deemed the aircrafts hour-long first flight as highly successful, reaching altitudes of 9,000 feet. GE Aviation provides the complete propulsion system for the ARJ21, including two fuselage-mounted CF34-10A engines.>> COMAC plans to perform a second demonstration flight later this month, followed by engineering flight tests in early 2009. Also, three additional aircraft will be added to the flight test program next year to support aircraft certification and entry into service in 2010.>> COMAC has already taken orders for more than 200 ARJ21 regional jet aircraft and sees a potential market for 850 aircraft over the next 20 years. This represents a potential of more than $4 billion in CF34 revenue for GE Aviation.>> The ARJ21 first flight is a fantastic accomplishment for COMAC, said David Joyce, president and CEO of GE Aviation. GE and COMAC have developed a strong relationship in recent years, and our technical collaboration on the ARJ21 has been invaluable.>> The ARJ21 will seat 70 to 90 passengers, and is designed for Chinese and export markets. The aircraft combines Chinese intellectual property with GE engines, and airborne systems from leading European and North American companies. COMAC selected GE's CF34-10A engine in 2002. Since then, GE and COMAC collaborated closely during the aircraft's detailed design and the aircraft/engine integration phases.