Aviation News Item: 03949

13th Jan 2010

Source: ubmaviationnews.com

China's AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engine Company (ACAE) began the construction of an aero engine research and development (R&D) centre in Shanghai yesterday (January 13). The new 300,000m2 (3.230.000ft2) complex worth CNY 3.23bn ($472m) will include facilities for engine testing, customer services and ACAE's headquarters. It will be completed in 2013 and initially concentrate on the development of Chinese-made engines for the planned 150-seat C919 aircraft. The single-aisle aircraft, which is scheduled to take off for its first flight in 2014 and enter service in 2016, will initially be equipped with CFM International LEAP-X1C engines, but should later employ Chinese engines. Last December, ACAE signed a MoU with Germany's MTU Aero Engines for research and development of aero engines. The firm also signaled the new R&D facility may be used for larger engines in the future.

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