Grounded COMAC C919 test aircraft fly again after modifications

The first 2 COMAC C919 flight test aircraft returned to the air June 22 after weeks on the ground for what industry sources described as modifications. The development program for the narrowbody airliner is proceeding according to plan, COMAC said. “Developmental test flights, static tests, and on the ground, post-sortie on-board tests and optimisation are being carried out in an orderly manner,” the state manufacturer said. The first prototype, unit 101, has been modified on the ground and undergone strength calibration, COMAC said. Work also included modification and calibration of the water ballast system used in flight testing. For Unit 102, COMAC said such tasks as checks on stability control have been completed. The third flight-test aircraft, among 6 planned, has been scheduled to fly this year. <br/>