New Large Regional Jet Prepares for Test Flight

China's first regional passenger jet with home-grown proprietary flight technologies will make its first test flight in two months, according to an article on the news website china-cbn.com.

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd., based in Shanghai, is the manufacturer of ARJ21-700 jet, the first of which recently rolled off the assembly line for its test flight.

The company designed the jet with a travel range of 1,200-2,000 nautical miles to meet the complex needs for air travel through western China's plateau region, seating 78-90 passengers. The unique design of the supercritical wing reduces the effect of shock waves on the upper surface near Mach 1, which in turn reduces drag.

The company will sell the jets for 27 million-29 million U.S. dollars each to both domestic and international airlines. They will have a price advantage comparable to similar aircraft on the international market.

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China said it has received dozens of orders for the new aircraft and that Shandong Airlines Co., Ltd. would be the first buyer, according to the article.

The manufacturer also said it has to sell at least 300 large regional jets to contain its costs during the aircraft's research and development phase.

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China was set up in May to develop and produce China's own brand of large aircraft to sell to domestic and international airlines.

China expects to build its homegrown large aircraft with a take-off weight of more than 100 tonnes, or planes with more than 150 seats. And it is widely regarded the first large aircraft will roll off the production line by 2020.