China's homegrown C919 passenger plane completed its first public flight test on Friday, marking a milestone in the development of China's civil aviation industry.
The successful flight signals China's entry into the global aviation market, and moves the country one step closer to transforming itself from a manufacturer of low-cost goods to a creator of advanced technology.
AVIATION AT NEW LEVEL
Aviation experts have hailed the strong growth momentum of China's aviation industry, which, they said, has taken an important step in the right direction.
"This event can only be welcome. This indicates that the Chinese aviation industry is gaining momentum and is rising to a new level," said Nikolay Yakubovich, an aviation engineer and aviation historian in Russia.
The twin-engine C919 is made by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). With a standard range of 4,075 km, the narrow-body jet is comparable with updated Airbus 320 and Boeing's new generation 737 planes.
Michel Merluzeau, director of Aerospace & Defence Market Analysis for AirInsightResearch in Seattle, was also impressed by the great efforts made by the Chinese government in accelerating innovation.
"What really impresses me with COMAC and with Chinese aerospace industry as a whole is that, we have traditional aerospace cycles in Europe and North America every 10, 15 years," Merluzeau said.
The aviation expert noted that there are two things to understand: First, "the role of Chinese government to accelerate innovation and to push innovation and program very fast." Second, "the ability of COMAC to probably innovate fast and shake up what we see as a cycle here in North America."
Merluzeau also expressed confidence in the future development of COMAC, the Shanghai-based manufacturer of the C919.
"I think by 2030, 2035, COMAC may very well do well in aircraft together to compete with the new aircrafts of Airbus and Boeing," said Merluzeau.
However, despite the successful test flight, it still takes time for the C919 to take off in the market.
