First 'Made by China' aircraft, Comac C919 successfully passes in first flight

The first Chinese-built passenger jet, Comac C919 has taken to the skies on Friday after years of work and excitement. It is the first major step for Beijing as it looks to fight against the industry champions, Boeing and Airbus and boost high-tech manufacturing at home. The airplane has successfully flown its maiden flight at 15:19 local time from Shanghai's Pudong International airport with a five-person crew onboard. The one hour and nineteen minutes flight was broadcast live on Chinese television. Made by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), the C919 is going to fight directly with the Airbus's A320 and Boeing's 737-800, two of the most popular planes in the world.

Image credit: news.cn

With the C919, China joins on the list of the few nations that have successfully developed homegrown large airliners: USA, Russia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, France and Germany. The jet is a symbol of China's ambitions to muscle into a global jet market estimated to be worth $2 trillion over the next two decades. It will also help China to concrete it's "Made in China 2025" plan to spur home-made products.

Comac C919 Main Specification:

Length: 38.9 m / 127.6 ft
Wingspan: 35.8 m / 117.5 ft
Height 11.95 m / 39.2 ft
Turbofan: (2x) CFM LEAP-1C
Cruise Mach 0.785 (450 kn; 834 km/h)
Range: 4,075 km / 2,200 nm
Seats: 168 (1-class) / 158 (2-class)