China’s widebody C929 could arrive early on revved-up development plan: sources

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is revving up the design and testing phase of its widebody C929 airliner, marshalling its resources and mobilising its stakeholders to roll out the indigenous jet on schedule – or, potentially, ahead of earlier estimates.Specialists from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) have proactively involved themselves in the C929’s development, the China-morning-post" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="12558" data-entity-type="organization">South China Morning Post has learned, with personnel from the national regulator assessing designs, offering feedback and moving some certification reviews ahead while the airliner takes shape.“Preliminary wind tunnel tests have started in recent months, an early milestone of collaboration between the regulator and Comac,” according to a source close to the matter, who added the joint work suggests an accelerated pace.Wind tunnel tests are mandated by global regulators, including the CAAC. They play a major role in the design of new aircraft, generating aerodynamic data for the structural and performance assessment that will support certification.Tests can be conducted with a prototype, scale models or fuselage parts; it was not clear what method was used for the C929.Further progress in the development of the C929 – China's answer to the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350 families – is expected to be revealed at the Singapore Airshow, scheduled to begin on Tuesday.