On August 9, the Aircraft Airworthiness Certification Department of the Civil Aviation Administration solicited comments on the special conditions and exemptions for COMAC C919 aircraft. The comment period was 15 working days.
This means that there is a new progress in the "forensics" of the C919 large aircraft, and it is one step closer to commercial operation.
The Aircraft Airworthiness Certification Department of the Civil Aviation Administration stated that, based on the design features of the C919 aircraft and the application of COMAC, according to Articles 21.3 and 21.16 of the "Regulations on the Certification of Civil Aviation Products and Parts", it is planned to issue special conditions and regulations for this type of aircraft. Approval of exemptions to airworthiness requirements.
In accordance with the requirements of Sections 3.5 and 4.5 of the Administrative Procedure Procedures for Issuing Special Conditions and Approving Waivers (AP-21-AA-2018-21R1), extensive industry and community input was sought on the 28 Special Conditions and 2 Waivers.
The Beijing Youth Daily reporter saw that 28 special conditions and 2 exemptions have been announced.
For example, one of them is "No.: PSC-25-032 Special Conditions for the Issuance of Non-rechargeable Lithium Batteries", which states that the design of the C919 aircraft (such as underwater positioning beacons, emergency positioning transmitters and hand-held emergency positioning transmitters) device) uses a non-rechargeable lithium battery.
The currently valid "Airworthiness Standard for Transport Class Aircraft" (CCAR-25-R4) mainly puts forward requirements for batteries through CCAR25.1353(b)(1) to (b)(4), but does not address these novel and unique inoperables. Rechargeable lithium batteries are designed to provide adequate safety requirements.
According to the requirements of Article 21.16 of the Regulations on the Certification of Civil Aviation Products and Components (CCAR-21-R4), it is proposed to formulate special conditions for the C919 aircraft, that is, each non-rechargeable lithium battery device must meet the requirements of all foreseeable operations. 8 requirements such as maintaining safe cell temperature and pressure to prevent fire and explosion; preventing self-sustaining, uncontrollable temperature or pressure rises.
Senior captain Chen Jianguo said in an interview with a reporter from Beijing Youth Daily that during the airworthiness review process, when the actual characteristics of the aircraft are different from the existing regulations, it may be necessary to apply for exemption or use special conditions. At this time, it is necessary to seek opinions.
Some are because the regulations are outdated, some because the real design cannot meet, or can be replaced by equivalent means to achieve the same level of safety.
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How long will it take to get on the C919?
The C919 large passenger aircraft is a large civil jet aircraft developed by my country in accordance with international civil aviation regulations and with independent intellectual property rights.
The final assembly was completed on November 2, 2015.
The first flight was successful on May 5, 2017.
On May 14 this year, COMAC successfully completed the first flight test of the first C919 large aircraft to be delivered to the first user.
On August 1, COMAC officially announced that the C919 had completed the certification test flight.
At present, the large passenger aircraft has received a total of 815 orders from 28 customers.
Generally speaking, aircraft certification is suitable for "certification", which means that three certificates are required: type certificate, production certificate and airworthiness certificate.
The type certificate is the most basic recognition, which means that the CAAC has confirmed that the aircraft has no fundamental problems affecting safety after strict review, and the design is qualified.
Chen Jianguo said that after the C919 obtains the airworthiness certificate, it can be delivered to the user, namely the airline.
For airlines, the introduction of new models will be a complex and vast project, including pilot training, maintenance, cabin services, and cargo stowage.
The flight standards department of the Civil Aviation Administration will approve the training requirements for new aircraft types, and the specific requirements for the airlines are the approved training syllabus requirements.
Usually airlines will select mature pilots for "transition training".
For example, pilots who originally flew Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 received theoretical training, completed the study and training according to the training syllabus, and obtained the C919 type level qualification after examination before they could fly C919 flights.
Chen Jianguo said that the C919 is a brand new model, and COMAC may send test pilots to lead new pilots from the airline.
This group of articles / reporter Lin Lishuang