GE's CF34-10A Powers The ARJ21

With the maiden flight on November 28 of China's first domestically-developed regional jet aircraft, the flight test program for the GE-powered ARJ21 aircraft is now underway.

The ARJ21 manufacturer, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, LTD (COMAC), deemed the aircraft's hour-long first flight as highly successful, reaching altitudes of 9,000 feet. COMAC plans to perform a second demonstration flight later this month, followed by engineering flight tests in early 2009.

Three additional aircraft are slated to be added to the flight test program next year to support aircraft certification and entry into service in 2010. COMAC says it has over 200 orders for ARJ21 regional jet aircraft and sees a potential market for 850 aircraft over the next 20 years.

GE Aviation provides the complete propulsion system for the ARJ21, including two fuselage-mounted CF34-10A engines. COMAC's optimistic forecast represents a potential of more than $4 billion in CF34 revenue for GE Aviation.

"The ARJ21 first flight is a fantastic accomplishment for COMAC," said David Joyce, president and CEO of GE Aviation. "GE and COMAC have developed a strong relationship in recent years, and our technical collaboration on the ARJ21 has been invaluable."

The ARJ21 bears more than a passing resemblance to a Douglas DC-9 -- not surprising, given both China's proclivity for copying Western designs, as well as the fact part of McDonnell Douglas was sold to China's National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp in the 1970s. The 70 to 90-seat airliner is intended for Chinese domestic market use, as well as possible export sales.

In addition to its GE engines, the ARJ21 also utilizes other airborne systems from leading European and North American companies. Since its selection to power the ARJ21, GE has collaborated with COMAC during the aircraft's detailed design and the aircraft/engine integration phases.

The CF34-10A is part of GE's CF34 engine family, which is the best-selling engine in regional jet aviation. More than 5,000 CF34 engines power business jets and regional jets worldwide. The CF34-10A is about 80 percent common with the CF34-10E, which entered service in November 2005 on the Embraer 190/195.

FMI: www.ge.com/av, www.avic1.com.cn/English/EnglishIndex.asp