China's C919 makes overseas debut at Paris Air Show

File photo: A model of the China-made C919 passenger airliner is seen at the 8th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong province, Nov 15, 2010. The model, which comprises the cockpit and the front part of the passenger cabin, is the same size as an actual C919 plane -- 17 meters long, 5.6 meters high and 3.96 meters wide. [Xinhua]

A real-size demo mock-up of C919 trunkliner's forward fuselage was unveiled at the ongoing 49th Paris Air Show on Monday, a debut for the first China-made large passenger aircraft at an international stage outside China.

The mock-up showcased the cockpit and forward part of the cabin -- 17 meters in length, 5.6 meters in height and 3.96 meters in width. It was first displayed to the public at the 2010 Zhuhai Air Show in China's Guangdong Province.

Though located in the corner smaller Hall 5, many visitors came to see the red-white-yellow colored mock-up and some even climbed into the passenger compartment to feel the seats and luggage compartments.

After opening its second overseas office in Paris, President Jin Zhuanglong of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (Comac),

C919's manufacturer, said the group has attached high importance to the Paris Air Show. "We expect to strengthen exchange with foreign partners at the show. Several contracts are also expected in the coming days," Jin said.

The group is also expected to ink a deal with engine maker CFM International on C919 propulsion system later, and a memorandum of understanding with Ryanair, an Irish low-cost airline on future cooperation during the show, sources close to Comac said.

With a designed lifespan of 90,000 flight hours or 30 calendar years, C919 is a medium/short-range commercial trunkliner of which China owns the independent intellectual property right.

The baseline version of C919 features 168 seats for all-economy class layout and 156 seats for hybrid class layout. Its designed standard range is 4,075 km and extended range 5,555 km, which enables it to operate on diversified air routes.

Comac plans to launch the first flight of C919 in 2014, and get airworthiness certification and enter into service by 2016.

The Paris Air Show kicked off Monday at Le Bourget, northeast of Paris. The event, held every odd-year in the summer, has been the leading air show for over a century.

This year's show attracts a record of 2,100 exhibitors, with 59 of the world's top 100 companies in the industry.

Aero-giant Boeing debuted its new 747-8 intercontinental passenger jet and 747-8 freighter, and its 787 dreamliner for the first time outside the United States; while the Europe-based Airbus displayed its A380 passenger jet and A400M military aircraft with daily flight performances during the show, taking full advantage of its home turf.