Comac Conducts ARJ21 Flight Tests
Comac Conducts ARJ21 Flight Tests After Several Improvements. The ARJ21-700 regional aircraft has made new flight tests after optimizing aircraft design, says Comac.These include cross-wind tests, an updated flight control system software test, as well as an evaluation of VHF antenna vibration during flight.
The Chinese manufacturer says the aircraft has successfully completed crosswind tests, which took five rounds for 13 days.
It adds that the various tests were carried out simultaneously, greatly improving the use of resources. Previously, only one module was made at a time.
Aircraft 103 spent 25 days conducting tests at Dongying and Xilinhot airports. The aircraft has since returned to Shanghai.
In September 2016, Comac said that the ARJ21 still needs to be optimized in areas such as cabin noise reduction, simplifying aircraft warning systems, solving a door pressure problem and ensuring the aircraft is safe for operations Even under heavy rain.
Comac is aiming for these changes to be completed by the end of 2017, then work to improve aircraft systems and functions and reduce their weight.
The ARJ21 received type certification from the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration in December 2015, but has not yet received a production certificate. The regulator has given Comac a list of seven or eight improvements that must be made to the jet before providing a production certificate for the type.