Comac is no longer pursuing certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (US FAA) for its ARJ21 regional jet, sources close to the programme tell Flightglobal.
While the manufacturer publicly maintains that it has not given up on securing western certification for its much-delayed ARJ21 programme, sources say Comac is no longer in direct conversations with the US FAA. The programme received type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) last December, eight years after its maiden flight.
“Comac has achieved what is required including adhering to FAR part 25 standards, but the CAAC and FAA are still discussing some issues. What’s left is for the two agencies to communicate, Comac is now focused on delivering the ARJ21 to Chengdu Airlines,” says one source.
The US FAA has been conducting shadow certification on the CAAC to ensure that the Chinese process keeps with FAA standards. Both Comac and the CAAC lack certification experience, considering the ARJ21 is the country’s first attempt to build a truly indigenous commercial jet.
Some observers have raised concerns about Chinese standards in aircraft development. Some Comac insiders, however, believe that the airframer's involvement in the narrowbody segment with the in-development C919 aircraft has delayed ARJ21 certification, because the newer type will eventually be a direct competitor of the Boeing 737.
Chinese certification is sufficient at present, considering an overwhelming majority of the commitments for 315 ARJ21s are from Chinese airlines and leasing companies. The lack of western certification could, however, affect lessor GECAS’ commitment for five of the regional jets with options for 20 more.
Sources say Comac’s plan is to first enter the ARJ21 into service within China, followed by some countries in Africa and Asia. Only after the programme reaches maturity in the next five to 10 years will it seek to attain western certification to allow for entry of the aircraft into Europe and North America.
The US FAA’s reluctance to certify the ARJ21 has also led Comac to move toward certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency for its C919 programme, sources add. The C919 is scheduled to roll out by the end of the year, and to take its first flight in 2016.