China's homemade large passenger aircraft C919 is given the first high-speed gliding test at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, east China, April 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhao Yun)
Preparatory work has been completed on China's self-developed aircraft C919 and it is scheduled to make its maiden flight in early May, the Shanghai Airport Authority said on its official Weibo account on Wednesday.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has promised to make every effort to ensure a secure, orderly and smooth maiden flight, and at the same time reduce to a minimum the influence it may have on regular flights.
This indigenous aircraft on Sunday passed a high-speed taxi test with front landing gear off the ground for the first time at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. That was the fourth time the C919 had undergone the high-speed taxi test.
The C919 is a narrow-body aircraft manufactured by Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC). It is designed to accommodate over 150 passengers. Measuring nearly 39 meters in length and 36 meters in wingspan, C919 is a bit larger than other planes of its kind
Suffering several delays, this maiden flight is greatly anticipated.
