An overseas returnee behind China’s aerospace ambition

Envisioning the future of C919, Dr. Xu believes each year is critical to the jetliner. On June 22, C919 AC101 and 102 completed their first flights successfully. AC103 will be tested within this year and AC104, 105 and 106 will be tested next year. So he thinks 2019 might be a year of tough tests but C919 will certainly do better than ARJ21. Whether it will become a top player in the world’s aviation industry along with Airbus and Boeing, he doesn’t know. But he is sure that C919 will be strongly competitive in the market.

Dreams and perseverance

Dreams and perseverance were mentioned most frequently by Dr. Xu during the interview. “Perseverance is highly needed as it takes 10 years or so for a plane to come out,” he said. After working with COMAC for many years, he was impressed by the young team and their perseverance and passion. He told us a story about a young man who has worked for the team for over seven years. At first, the young graduate came to do aviation because his father and mother work in the automobile industry, so he studied aviation. But after he came to COMAC, he really personally fell in love with aviation, even though his income is not high, his home is far from work, and the working conditions are really tough. Dr. Xu believes the most promising part for the future of COMAC is its young people, which is fundamental for COMAC to secure a position among the world’s aviation enterprises.

(Jun Xu at work)