C919 Prototype Configuration Frozen For April First Flight

Bradley Perrett | Aviation Daily

BEIJING—The configuration of the first prototype of the Comac C919 program has been frozen in preparation for a first flight next month, say industry sources. The timing of the flight almost rules out the possibility of the Chinese state manufacturer meeting its internal target of making the first delivery of the 158-seat airliner in 2019. Philippe Petitcolin, CEO of major C919 supplier Safran, told Bloomberg on March 17 that the first-flight target was now April. Taxi tests began ...