Chapter 371 - 363 Impact_1

"Self-check beginning... Self-check complete!"

"1708, your leading-edge flaps have been extended, the power supply truck has been disconnected, please check."

"1708 received."

is the code for the first flyable prototype of the C832. Currently, two test pilots are checking parameters according to procedures in a lengthy process, fortunately, AI saves most of the work.

The development of the C832 was focused around two special indicators: safety and economy.

These are also the design goals for most civil aircraft, but Xinyuan transplanted atmospheric flight controls directly from space shuttles, providing the utmost experience with sensors scattered across the airframe and a rich library of aerodynamic data.

Although the C832’s configuration differs little from that of standard airliners, with super-intelligent flight control support, it can automatically take off and land in complex weather conditions and even if both pilots lose control, it can still land safely with guidance from the ground.

Another point worth highlighting is its outstanding fuel economy. The precision of the automatic throttle allows the engines to operate in the most efficient range as much as possible.

Many small airlines own only one or two aircraft, and sometimes the company boss is the pilot, who will rack their brains to save fuel. Engine fuel consumption is naturally the greatest expense, but now it can be precisely controlled by AI, which almost always minimizes fuel use while ensuring safety.

This greatly relieves the pilots’ stress, as they can boldly leave the entirety of a flight to the autopilot.

Therefore, the C832, like the C822, actually supports safe piloting by a single pilot. If not for the restrictions of the Civil Aviation Administration, it could save airlines a significant amount of money. After all, a pilot’s salary and benefits are not cheap.

Luckily, the test pilots currently flying need not worry—they’re members of the H2 standby crew and are unlikely to descend to piloting civil airliners.

At 9:30 AM, the 1708 was confirmed error-free and ready for the test flight. The crew started the engines for a warm-up, patiently waited until 9:35 AM to begin taxiing, and then at 9:37 AM, they audaciously lifted the main landing gear off the ground.

Those who had gathered early on the roads outside the base, the so-called "wall-climbers", had been listening to the engine sounds for minutes. They first saw the "Meteor" advanced trainer aircraft take off, followed by the twin-engine, yellow-green large airliner.

Since it was a test flight, the 1708’s empty weight was lower than anticipated, and it carried only a small amount of fuel. The two XW-30 engines provided nearly 70 tons of thrust. The test pilot boldly pulled back on the yoke, performing a stunning steep ascent before entering the racetrack pattern for circling.

"Amazing!"

Zhu Chi, director of the Southwest Civil Aviation Administration, jumped up excitedly and clapped his hands over his head.

The rest, involved in the manufacturing of the C832 components, focused their attention on their own parts, knowing they were crafted under exceptionally stringent requirements for the first prototype.

Even happier were the leaders of Yizhou city—COMAC’s large aircraft manufacturing base was there. How could they not be elated with the prospect of hundreds of these aircraft taking off from Yizhou every year?

The first flight program wasn’t lengthy. The C832 circled the airport a few times without retracting the landing gear before landing. In a few days, it would face high-intensity, grueling test flights, testing the aircraft’s limits until deemed unserviceable.

"Will the mass production start soon? How long before we can get the aircraft?"

The question came from someone at Air China, one of the first two customers for the C832.

"We can definitely deliver one by the end of this year. I suggest you start sending your pilots over now. The cockpit of the C832 is very different from a Boeing’s; the pilots will need some time to adjust."

The answer came from Ye Changsi—the other executives were in Qiongzhou, only he remained at the base.

The C832 was progressing smoothly; after all, the first few units were manufactured at the base. The initial two-year delivery target was achievable. As for the following large orders, they’d have to wait until the Yizhou production base was operational.

Ye Changsi turned to Zhu Chi and greeted him.

"Director Zhu, we filed for a new airliner project a few days ago. When can we expect the approval document?"

Zhu Chi’s smile vanished in an instant, and he said with a pained expression,

"You folks at Xinyuan really like to stir things up, don’t you? The C810 isn’t something the Civil Aviation Administration can decide on by themselves, we need to do more research."

The C810 was the supersonic jet that Lin Ju had been dreaming of, which naturally became a project once the base had sufficient funds.

It was a typical small business jet with a maximum takeoff weight of only 50 tons. It had a high-wing, twin vertical tail design with air intakes on both sides. It was powered by two XW-9B engines, providing a maximum thrust of 29.4 tons, cruising at a speed of Mach 2.8, with a top speed of Mach 3.3, and a maximum range of 5000 kilometers.

The fuselage was rather narrow, accommodating only a single row of seats and a very small restroom. It could carry 9 passengers or 1000 kilograms of cargo, and it took only 40 minutes to fly from the base to the Capital, accounting for takeoff and landing time.

With such a fast speed, it didn’t matter if the cabin conditions were a little lacking; after all, it wouldn’t take long.

The engines were off-the-shelf, and the design of a small aircraft wasn’t difficult. Because it didn’t require a lot of funding, it was quickly pushed forward by the System Research Institute. Although the project had only been reported a few days ago, in reality, the main wings were almost finished. It could fly next month, and there was no need for a prototype for validation.

However, Zhu Chi didn’t dare to issue a certificate of airworthiness for the C810. Just the supersonic flight alone was unprecedented in the country; even a 50-ton business jet could not be approved on his own authority.

But he couldn’t offend Xinyuan Company either, so he simply waited for them to push the issue up the chain of command.

Ye Changsi wasn’t surprised to see Zhu Chi shirking responsibility. After all, there was indeed no domestic experience with the supporting management of supersonic jets.

Still, he thought the problems should not be too big. If necessary, couldn’t they just call upon military connections once again?

...

In Modu City, at the COMAC headquarters.

Li Jing held the commemorative badge of the C832’s maiden flight, which featured a gold-plated model of the C832.

The C832, which was competing with the type of C919, had flown first even though the C822 hadn’t taken off yet. This seemingly magical outcome was actually not without reason.

Just look at today’s News Broadcast, which spent several minutes on the history of domestic large commercial aircraft, from the Project 708’s Yun-10 to the C832. It was essentially an extended praise of the successful maiden flight of the C832.

They might console themselves with the special aircraft project, but what’s more upsetting was the impact of the C832 on the CR929.

Firstly—Russia had backed out; the CR929’s ’R’ was removed, and it was now called the C929.

Russia had always wanted to develop its own commercial aircraft industry, and their departure had been anticipated. The C929 was not impossible to develop.

The authorities did not suppress COMAC’s large commercial aircraft business because of Commercial Aviation’s success; they supported COMAC’s efforts to build large commercial aircraft, but they suggested something regarding the engines.

Was the Yangtze River 2000 engine being developed for the C929 redundant?

Although the 35-ton thrust of the Yangtze River 2000 was slightly greater than that of the XW-30, they were essentially the same type. Since the XW-30 was also domestically produced, why would COMAC waste money on purchasing the XW-30? They could just speed things up.

Isn’t self-researched or purchasing from other domestic companies both considered domestic production?

The argument was sound, but it implied that COMAC would lose a major high-thrust engine project. Even if they could secure the funding to continue, when would the unseen C929, with its uncertain market, make its debut?

Meanwhile, Xinyuan Company had no objections; they weren’t selling commercial jets—whomever they sold engines to didn’t matter.

COMAC was left in a quandary.