Although the Chinese-made ARJ21 is running late most commentators believe it is still on track to succeed.
China has been making aircraft for quite some considerable time, but only sold them to countries with safety regulations more relaxed than those in major countries. This week the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is going to be checking Civil Aviation Administration of China’s (CAAC) ability to certify the ARJ21.
If the FAA certifies CAAC and CAAC certifies the ARJ21, then the ARJ21 can be sold globally. Currently there are three ARJ21’s in the test fleet, but they have only completed 150 flight hours of the 2,000 flight hours required to get Chinese certification. They were hoping to have Chinese certification of the aircraft completed by the end of 2010, but that does not now look likely to happen.
Airline Reporter reports that after certification the task will be to sell the model, probably to an American or European start-up airline. Possible, but only if the price is so low as to be seriously attractive. Once the numbers build up the situation will change.
Like this:
Like Loading...
