The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) is ramping up efforts in the design and testing phases of its wide - body passenger aircraft, the C929. There's a possibility that this domestically - produced passenger aircraft could be launched ahead of the original schedule, which initially set its maiden flight for 2030.

Recently, the C929 has embarked on preliminary wind tunnel tests. This marks an early and significant breakthrough in the collaborative efforts between regulatory authorities and COMAC.

Positioned as a dual - aisle wide - body passenger aircraft, the C929 is set to directly compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 series. The design of the C929 has been finalized, and preparations for mass production have officially kicked off.

One of the most notable aspects is that the C929 has completely shed its reliance on Western engines. It is now equipped with the domestically - produced CJ2000 engine. This engine boasts a thrust exceeding 35 tons, setting a new record for thrust in Chinese aerospace engines. In the aviation industry, engine thrust is a crucial factor determining an aircraft's performance, and this achievement showcases China's growing technological prowess in aerospace.

Guanglian Aviation has secured orders to supply some core components for the C929 project. These include key parts such as the cargo door and mid - fuselage panels. To meet the production demands, the company has established a dedicated assembly line.

COMAC has laid out its plans. It aims to obtain the type certificate around 2032 and achieve the aircraft's first commercial flight before 2035. Regarding the supply chain, domestic leading supporting enterprises are expected to sequentially deliver large components, including the mid - fuselage section, around 2027. This well - coordinated supply chain strategy is vital for ensuring the smooth progress of the C929 project.