Page 8 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2015 Online Magazine
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FEATURE REGIONAL JETS
ago. Not only is it outdated today, but it was Furthermore, Aboulafia does not
outdated when it was designed originally.” foresee COMAC making a costly investment
While, Japan has experience in necessary to achieve certification for the
designing, building, and certifying aircraft; ARJ21 outside of China.
China has none of these, he says. “It would take a lot of work, a very
Japan also has independent regulatory expensive certification effort to get this
agencies that have credibility with other aircraft certified in the united States
countries, while China does not. including flight testing and more to get the
Although COMAC has reported FAA to be comfortable with approving the
commitments for 278 ARJ21s from design,” says Aboulafia.
Chinese carriers and leasing firms, Russia is also taking up the challenge
Aboulafia says, “The ARJ21 will go to enter the regional jet market with its
nowhere, and be remembered as an Sukhoi SuperJet 100. The aircraft, built
expensive learning project that produced by a joint venture between Moscow-based
a deeply embarrassing aircraft.” united Aircraft Corp.’s Sukhoi and a unit
The ARJ21 features cockpit avionics of Italy’s Finmeccanica SpA, started flying
from several western suppliers, including commercially with OAO Aeroflot in 2011.
Eaton Aerospace’s cockpit panel The Sukhoi Superjet 100 has not been a
assemblies, Rockwell Collins avionics commercial success so far, though Russia
and AHS-3000 attitude heading reference is exploring the possibility of establishing a
system as well as a flight deck control production facility in India to make the aircraft.
suite from Sagem. Honeywell supplies the “The Indian market is one of the most
primary flight controls. promising for the SSJ100, and we are
According to Aboulafia, the twin rear- looking at various option including a joint
mounted General Electric CF34-10A venture or a production facility,” President
turbofans on the newly certified jets are of uAC Mikhail Pogosyan says.
COMAC has reported the same engines being phased out by Recently, the aircraft operated a non-stop
commitments for 278 the regional jet market’s biggest player, flight from Moscow to New Delhi, covering
ARJ21s from Chinese Embraer, on its revamped E-Jet E2 family a distance of 4738 kilometer range in six
carriers and leasing firms that is scheduled for first deliveries in 2018. hours and five minutes.
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