Story ID: 496FiranTechnologyGroup
C919 Control Panels Get China’s OK
By: James Careless
Caption: Firan obtains its first airworthiness approval from China’s CAAC.
Word Count: 283
SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Toronto’s Firan Technology Group (FTG) announced that the cockpit control panel assemblies that it developed for the Shanghai Avionics Corporation (Savic) C919 flight deck display system have received airworthiness approval from China’s CAAC. Subsequent to this approval, FTG’s assemblies are expected to be integrated into the first flight-test Comac C919 and will be part of the C919 first flight.

This is FTG’s first airworthiness approval from China, and it rewards the Canadian company’s efforts to expand its presence globally. The CAAC approval also signifies progress of the C919 program.

The C919 equipment built by FTG (Booth C12247) includes nine control panel assemblies. Each one includes a human-machine interface, microprocessor-based interface electronics and software to connect the assemblies into the aircraft data bus. After delivery to Savic, the FTG control panel assemblies will be integrated into a complete display system for the first C919.

“FTG made a commitment to the China market in 2010 by establishing FTG Aerospace–Tianjin, and we are pleased to see one of our early successes in that market progress to such an exciting milestone so quickly,” said FTG president and CEO Brad Bourne. “We are committed to working closely with Savic and other partners in China to see this program through a successful first flight and certification on a timely basis.”

Under its contract with Savic, FTG will supply a minimum of 1,440 nine-panel assemblies to the C919. These will be manufactured in China at FTG Aerospace–Tianjin. The narrowbody C919 is China’s answer to the current Airbus/Boeing commercial aircraft duopoly, and will compete against the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.