2017年CRI China' homegrown jumbo passenger jet takes to the sky

 

China's homegrown large passenger plane C919 takes off on its maiden¹ flight in Shanghai, east China, May 5, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Ding Ting]

China has invested heavily in commercial passenger jet manufacturing. In 2007, plans to develop a domestic large passenger jet were approved by the central government. In November 2015, the first C919 jet rolled off the assembly line.

Chief designer of the C919 passenger jet, Wu Guanghui, says government policy and financial support have been key to the research into and development of domestic large airplanes.

"I still remember clearly what President Xi Jinping said when he visited COMAC. He said in the past we held that it is better to buy one than make one and it is even better to rent one than buy one, but now we are doing the opposite and are developing our own large airplanes. China has a huge demand for airplanes in the future."

The C919 was developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, also known as COMAC, in Shanghai.

Deputy Chief Designer of the company, Xu Jifeng, explains the strategic significance of C919 to China.

"The large passenger jet demonstrates a country's comprehensive national strength, industrial level and international competitiveness. The C919 makes China the fourth jumbo jet producer after the United States, Europe and Russia. It'll also stimulate² technological³ innovation and economic restructuring in other industries, including metallurgy, infrastructure⁴ construction and electronic instruments."

China's homegrown large passenger plane C919 makes its maiden flight in Shanghai, east China, May 5, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Ding Ting]

Kang Yuanli, a senior engineer of COMAC, says she has full confidence in China's homegrown jumbo passenger jet.

"The C919 is not only marking a success in developing a certain type of aircraft. Throughout the process, it also implemented⁵ the technological innovation pattern with the integration⁶ of enterprises, universities and research institutes. This practice, including risk management, has realized the project management mode by linking the main manufacturers and suppliers. It sketches⁷ out the strength of China's aviation industry, as a strategic platform for making mainstream⁸ aircraft to international standards."

She also points out that, after the maiden flight, the C919 still needs to go through further tests to prove its airworthiness over the coming five to eight years, before officially being put into operation.

"This is a gradual process, the C919 will firstly carry out test flights in China, and then in Asian and African countries. After that, it has to attain⁹ the North American and European airworthiness certifications, and thus to prove its safety."

With a standard range of 4,075 kilometers, the narrow-body jet is comparable with updated Airbus 320 and Boeing's new generation 737, signaling the country's entry into the global aviation market.

The jet was designed and produced in China and made with resources from around the world.

The C919 incorporates parts from over 30 global suppliers such as Honeywell International Inc. Its engines were made by a joint¹⁰ venture between General Electric and Safran Aircraft Engines.

1 maiden   

n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的

参考例句：

• The prince fell in love with a fair young maiden.王子爱上了一位年轻美丽的少女。
• The aircraft makes its maiden flight tomorrow.这架飞机明天首航。

2 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

3 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

4 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

5 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

6 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

7 sketches   

n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概

参考例句：

• The artist is making sketches for his next painting. 画家正为他的下一幅作品画素描。
• You have to admit that these sketches are true to life. 你得承认这些素描很逼真。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 mainstream   

n.（思想或行为的）主流；adj.主流的

参考例句：

• Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
• Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。

9 attain   

vt.达到，获得，完成

参考例句：

• I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
• His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。

10 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。