Avic commercial Aircraft Engines : SF-A / CJ-1000A

AVIC unveils model of SF-A engine that it hopes will power C919
By Leithen Francis

China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) has unveiled a model of the Chinese-built engine that it hopes will power the country's new C919 narrowbody.

The Chinese-built engine, developed by Shanghai-based AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engines (ACAE), will be called the SF-A, says China's state-run news media.

A model of the SF-A turbofan is on display at Shanghai's China Industrial Fair, the reports say.

The C919's manufacturer, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, is due to select major suppliers by year-end.

It has said publicly that the C919, which is due to enter service in 2016, will be powered by western engines but that it hopes some C919s produced later will be powered by Chinese engines.

ACAE has said publicly its engine will be ready in 2016. But it will take many months, and possibly more than a year, for the engine to get Chinese certification.

China to produce its own jet engines

A scale model of China's first domestically-produced jumbo jet is being displayed at this year's China International Industry Fair in Shanghai. The aircraft will prominently feature a Chinese-made engine.

The engine, which is made by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, is designed for the 150-seat C919 jumbo jet. Experts say they are working to give the model some key features.

A scale model of China's first domestically-produced jumbo jet is being displayed at this year's China International Industry Fair in Shanghai.

Li Jibao, Vice General Manager of Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China said "First of all, it should consume low levels of fuel because there is a carbon dioxide emissions requirement. Secondly, its noise level should be low. We are pushing our efforts toward key technological breakthroughs."
Some sources say the jet maker is not only aiming to supply engines for this domestically-made jet, but is also involved in a project that can meet the engine demands of the next generation of general civil aircraft.
Li Jibao said "We are also working on an engine that has the same performance as the next-generation Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 planes. We will complete the technological tests by 2016."
Many observers believe China is on track to produce its own commercial jet to reduce its reliance on foreign plane makers such as Boeing and Airbus. The entire process -- including design, material sourcing, and production -- is being done in China. The initial design of the aircraft has been completed, and the jumbo jet is scheduled to make its maiden flight in 2014. The C919 is then expected to be delivered to clients by 2016.

Major engine manufacturers in discussion with AVIC - Suppliers Share Wrap

China’s aerospace manufacturing development is increasingly engaging in tighter partnerships with Western aerospace companies as it pursues development of its new C919 narrowbody. AVIC announced late last week that it is in negotiations with two “major” engine manufacturers, whose identities were not revealed. The announcement comes on top of a JV between AVIC and GE signed last week to develop avionics, which will focus on the new 160-190 seat narrowbody, currently under development by COMAC.
75-80% of the components in the C919 will reportedly be sourced from Western companies or produced in partnership with Western firms. COMAC reportedly intends to reduce this to approximately 50% as the programme matures.
The engine for the aircraft will be a major part of this. AVIC has made it clear that it wants to develop an indigenous engine for the C919, but COMAC has conceded that Western engines will initially power the aircraft. Shanghai-based AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engines (ACAE) plans to have a powerplant, the SF-A, running by 2016. But certification could take up to a year, or perhaps longer.
Given the current development timeframe for the C919 (test flight in 2014 and commercial service by 2106), and the fact that China has had major problems getting a reliable civil jet engine into production, it is no surprise that COMAC and AVIC are turning to the West to get an advanced engine for the C919 ready in time for its launch.
COMAC’s new ARJ21-700 regional jet, which is currently undergoing flight testing, is powered by GE engines (also used on Bombardier and Embraer regional jets).
Western engine manufacturers have made abundantly clear their intention to power the C919. Pratt & Whitney (P&W) confirmed earlier in the year that it is in talks with Chinese parties about powering the C919, preferably through the International Aero Engines consortium. IAE is owned by P&W and Rolls-Royce (32.5% each), with a 12% share owned by MTU Aero Engines and a 23% share controlled by the Japanese Aero Engines Corporation.
P&W's new geared turbofan engine is also an option under discussion for the C919. The engine is expected to be certified around 2013.
CFM International, a JV between Safran parent, Snecma, and GE, hopes to offer its new LEAP-X engine for the C919. The programme was launched in late 2008, and CFM hopes the engine can be certified by 2016, although development may be accelerated to ensure that it is available to power the C919.

AVIC invites MTU to develop C919 engine
Tuesday January 5, 2010 AVIC's Commercial Aircraft Engine Co. and MTU Aero Engines signed an MOU covering production of a powerplant for the 150-seat C919. ACAC GM Zhang Jian said the partnership with MTU "is based on independent innovation" and that ACAC will safeguard its own intellectual property. Last month, Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China chose CFM International's LEAP-X1C to power the C919, which is scheduled to enter service in 2016, and signed an MOU with CFM to establish a ground test platform and final assembly line for the LEAP-X1C in China (ATWOnline, Dec. 22, 2009). COMAC intends to power the C919 with foreign-built engines initially while domestically produced engines are under development.

AVIC's Commercial Aircraft Engine Co. yesterday began construction of its CNY3.23 billion ($472.5 million) Shanghai research and development facility, which is scheduled to be completed in 2013 and will include and R&D center and an airworthiness testing center as well as engineering, liaison and customer service facilities.

GM Zhang Jian said at the ceremony that the base initially will focus primarily on production of a powerplant for the 150-seat C919, which is scheduled to enter service in 2016. CAEC signed an MOU with MTU Aero Engines last week covering cooperation in the development and production of an engine. The companies are discussing various options including subcontracting or establishment of a joint venture (ATWOnline, Jan. 5).

The company also selected CFM International's LEAP-X1C to be the C919's first engine. "The C919 will be powered by a domestically produced engine in the end, which is our national policy," Zhang promised. "In the future, we would even consider producing powerplants for 250-seat widebodies, regional aircraft and business jets." CAEC plans to recruit foreign talent to help with those initiatives.

Meanwhile, it still is seeking a strategic investor for a 30% stake. The company was launched in January 2009. AVIC holds 40% and Shanghai Electric Group and Shanghai Guosheng Group each hold 15%. Zhang said CAEC has received interest from state-owned and private companies in China as well as Western investors.


by Katie Cantle

AVIC's Commercial Aircraft Engine Co. is accelerating the research and development of a domestically produced, second engine option for the 150-seat COMAC C919, according to GM Wang Zhilin.

COMAC selected the CFM International LEAP-X1C to power the C919, which is set to enter service in 2016 (ATW Daily News, Jan. 13, 2010). COMAC said from the start that its deal with CFM is not exclusive and it eventually intended to add a domestically produced powerplant.

Wang said R&D on the Chinese C919 engine is "going well," adding that AVIC plans to "complete production of a demonstration engine in 2016 to enter service around 2020."

The C919 will enter the final design definition phase this year. Detailed design will be completed by 2012 and its first flight is slated for 2014. According to COMAC's timeline, type certification will be accomplished by 2016, followed shortly thereafter by first delivery (ATW Daily News, March 11).

MTU Aero Engines will likely become a partner in a planned AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engine (ACAE) programme to build an alternative powerplant for the Comac C919 narrowbody.
The German engine subassembly manufacturer and maintenance provider and AVIC's Shanghai-based engine subsidiary have inked an agreement for a "possible co-operation" on a future powerplant for the C919, which has been called the CJ-1000A.
As a first step, the two companies want to conduct a feasibility study into how the medium-thrust engine can be built in China. The engine will produce thrust of up to 44,000lb (196kN). It is targeting entry into service for 2020.
The CJ-1000A's generous production timeframe for the engine's development is likely due to the nascent state of China's jet engine design and production capabilities.
This pre-development study, due to be finalised in November, will determine the engine's basic structure and parameters, said MTU. It will involve economic evaluations and look at additional partnerships for the programme.
While the C919 will initially be equipped with CFM International Leap-1XC engines, the Chinese engine is expected to follow at a later stage. First flight for the C919 is scheduled for 2014, with entry into service due to follow two years later.
When ACAE was set up in 2009, the company said that the Chinese engine would be available in 2016. Aside from being an alternative engine for the C919, AVIC hopes to market the CJ-1000A for use on jets in overseas markets.
MTU has a 50/50 joint venture overhaul shop with China Southern Airlines for CFM International CFM56 and International Aero Engines V2500 powerplants in Zhuhai.