China’s state-owned manufacturer, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), has successfully conducted the first crewed test flight of its CE-25A electric aircraft. The milestone flight took place in Binzhou, located in China’s Shandong province, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
During the flight, the aircraft carried a crew consisting of two pilots and one flight test engineer. Officials confirmed that the performance of the aircraft met expectations, and all onboard systems and indicators functioned within the designated normal operating parameters throughout the duration of the test.
The CE-25A is a 10-ton-class electric commercial aircraft designed primarily for regional and intercity connectivity. It has the capacity to accommodate up to 19 passengers. Technical specifications for the aircraft include a maximum cruising speed of 300 kilometres per hour, an operational ceiling of 2,400 metres, and a maximum flight range of 400 kilometres. This latest development follows the aircraft's initial maiden unmanned intelligent flight, which occurred earlier this year on February 2.
The CE-25A project is a collaborative effort involving COMAC, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Before this crewed test, the development programme had already successfully completed 19 autonomous flights conducted without any personnel on board.
Key facts
- The CE-25A is a 10-ton-class electric aircraft capable of carrying up to 19 passengers.
- The maiden crewed test flight was held in Binzhou, Shandong province.
- The flight crew consisted of two pilots and one flight test engineer.
- The aircraft has a cruising speed of 300 km/h and a range of 400 km.
- The Civil Aviation Administration of China has accepted the application for type certification.
Why it matters
With the successful completion of the crewed flight, the CE-25A has moved closer to the regulatory approval stage. The China Civil Aviation Administration has formally accepted the application for type certification, a necessary step before the electric aircraft can be cleared for commercial operations.
Background
The development of the CE-25A represents China's push into the electric aviation sector, aiming to enhance regional and intercity transport capabilities through independently developed commercial aircraft technologies.
Source: Hindustan Times
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