New Aircraft China's First Native Commercial Jet

China has announced its first homegrown commuter jet designed specifically to match the natural environment of that populous country.

The AJR21 regional jet looks to be a fairly traditionally styled two-engine design with engines on the aft fuselage, and a T-tail along the lines of the original DC-9 and the Bombardier CRJ. It's expected to have a range of 2,000 nautical miles and  carry between 70 and 110 passengers.

The China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) says the plane will be capable of landing and taking off at airports in western China's high plateaus at hot temperatures.

AVIC has previous aviation experience in designing and building China's most advanced fighter, the FC-1.

China expects the new regional jet to get its airworthiness certificate in 2007 and go into commercial operation the next year. The company already has 41 orders, all from Chinese operators.

A mock-up of the plane is being displayed now during the Sixth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in the southeast city of Zhuhai.

FMI: www.avic1.com.cn/English/EnglishIndex.asp