Move May Boost US Aviation Sales
The Federal Aviation Administration opened an office in
Shanghai on Friday, a move that is expected to assist Chinese
manufacturers' efforts to earn US certification for their aircraft
and boost US aviation industry sales to China's fast-growing
market.
Initially, the new office will primarily support efforts by
China's General Administration of Civil Aviation to meet US safety
standards and gain approval for its planned ARJ-21 passenger jet,
said John Hickey, director of the FAA's Aircraft Certification
Service.
Civil aviation authorities worldwide usually follow the FAA's
lead on safety issues, as certification is a crucial step for any
airliner, according to the Associated Press. Working so closely
with China will undoubtedly assist many of the US companies working
with China on the ARJ-21, Hickey said.
The ARJ-21 is described as a mid-sized jet capable of carrying
70 to 100 passengers and is being developed by the AVIC I
Commercial Aircraft Company. This group of six companies and
aerospace research institutes are carrying out the development and
manufacture of the aircraft. The aircraft performance dimensions
meet the demanding conditions in China, including the hot and high
altitude conditions in Western China.
"This is certainly facilitating the exchange of aeronautical
products between the United States and China," Hickey said.
"Closer cooperation always helps," said Daniel Torres,
Asian-Pacific flight operations manager for FedEx Corp., which is
building a regional hub in the southern Chinese city of
Guangzhou.
Foreign manufacturers will supply at least 40 percent of the
ARJ-21's components. A compelling amount of that business has gone
to American companies.
General Electric Co. plans to supply the engines; Rockwell
Collins Inc. is expected to supply the cockpit, Parker Hannifin
Corp. the fuel system and Honeywell International Inc. the
avionics. Production is scheduled to begin later this year with
test flights beginning in March 2008.
Zheng Qiang, a vice president of China Aviation Industry Corp.
said "We definitely will be able to test the jet next year. I am
confident."
With 71 orders from domestic carriers such as Shanghai Airlines,
Shandong Airlines and Xiamen Airlines, AVIC I is also eyeing export
markets in Asia, Africa and South America.
"We have a cost advantage and a price advantage," Chen said.
"With the safety certification I think we will have good prospects
overseas."
FAA certification will also help other aircraft makers expand
beyond China, said Chen Wenhao, general manager of Jiangxi Hongdu
Aviation Industry Co. His small aircraft, used for crop dusting and
forestry service, received the FAA's approval Friday.
Zheng said AVIC I expects to gain Chinese certification within
the next two years and begin commercial production.