Comac has begun modifying the landing gear of the ARJ21 regional jet which will likely lead to the aircraft’s certification being pushed back once again. The changes are reported to be improvements but will require some redesigning as there are interference issues with the new design.
Major changes, such as to landing gear design, normally are not seen when an aircraft program is close to completion. Comac has four ARJ21 test aircraft, which have accumulated over 2,800 flight hours since 2008.
In 2012, Comac planned to receive certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China for the ARJ21 in the first half of 2013, and to deliver the aircraft to launch customer Chengdu Airlines by 2014. The original first delivery date was to be in 2007 but many program issues and delays have continually pushed that date back.
