China Debuts ARJ-21

Dubbed Ziangfeng – Flying Phoenix – the ARJ 21 was rolled out last week in ceremonies at the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory ushering in the first Chinese-built jet, an aircraft destined for the regional airline marketplace. Made by the China Aviation Industry Corp. I (AVIC I), the 90-seat regional jets's maiden flight ois scheduled for March. It has a range of 2,300 miles, according to one of two press services invited to the event – Xinhua News Agency. Deliveries are set to begin in the third quarter of 2009.
The Associated Press reported that the Federal Aviation Administration opened an office in Shanghai and is now working on safety standards with China’s General Administration on Civil Aviation. The aircraft was original scheduled to debut in 2005 but delays were caused by design problems, according to AP.
AVIC I predicts the ARJ-21 will take 60 percent of the domestic market through 2027 and, on the international front, will compete with the popular jets produced by Bombardier and Embraer. It also paves the way for the company’s future plans to compete against the larger airliners produced by Boeing and Airbus.