2nd prototype of C919 jetliner completes 1st test flight

A second prototype of China's first homegrown large passenger jet finished its first test flight on Sunday in Shanghai.

The second C919 prototype, coded 10102, flew successfully for two hours after taking off at 10:34 am from Pudong International Airport and returning there at 12:34 pm.

It will undergo four to six test flights in Shanghai before hopefully heading for a long-distance flight to Dongying in Shandong province by the end of January, according to Wang Wei, chief engineer with the test flight center for civilian planes from the manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corp of China, or COMAC.

COMAC said it plans to put six aircraft into test flights.

Tests on the second prototype will focus on critical systematic functions, especially the dynamic systems including the engines, according to Wang.

The 10102 had five crew members, with Wu Xin as the pilot. Wu was co-pilot for the maiden flight of the first prototype coded 10101.

Compared to the maiden flight of the 10101, the second prototype recorded a longer flight at a higher altitude and faster speed. The highest altitude it reached was 4,660 meters (15,300 feet) and the maximum speed was 253 knots.

The 10101 flew for 78 minutes during its maiden flight to a maximum height of 3,050 meters (10,000 feet).