In a move expected to boost U.S. aviation industry sales to China's fast-growing market, the Federal Aviation Administration opened an office in Shanghai on Friday that will aid Chinese manufacturers' efforts to get certification for their aircraft.
The new office initially will mainly support efforts by China's General Administration of Civil Aviation to meet safety standards and gain approval for its planned ARJ-21 passenger jet, said John Hickey, director of the FAA's Aircraft Certification Service.
Civil aviation authorities around the world usually follow the FAA's lead on safety issues, and certification is a crucial step for any new airliner.
Working more closely will facilitate ties with many of the U.S. companies that are working with China on the ARJ-21, Hickey said.
"This is certainly facilitating the exchange of aeronautical products between the United States and China," he said.
Stronger ties could also help on other areas such as air traffic.
"Closer cooperation always helps," said Daniel Torres, Asian-Pacific flight operations manager for FedEx Corp., which is building a regional hub in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.
The ARJ-21 is part of China's efforts to design and build its own large aircraft, although foreign manufacturers are to supply 40 percent of its components.
A significant share of that business has gone to American companies.
Current plans call for the engines for the mid-sized jet to come from General Electric Co. Rockwell Collins Inc. is expected to supply the cockpit, Parker Hannifin Corp. the fuel system and Honeywell International Inc. the avionics.
Production of the ARJ-21, with a capacity for 70-100 passengers, is due to begin by the end of the year, with the first test flights scheduled for next March, said Zheng Qiang, a vice president of China Aviation Industry Corp. I, its state-owned manufacturer.
Domestic carriers such as Shanghai Airlines, Shandong Airlines and Xiamen Airlines have ordered 71 of the planes, while AVIC I is also targeting export markets in Asia, Africa and South America, it said.
Zheng said the company expects to gain Chinese certification within the next two years and begin commercial production.
"We definitely will be able to test the jet next year. I am confident," Zheng said.
Original plans called for the jet to be ready by late 2005, but design problems forced a delay, Zheng said.
"We had to adjust the schedule somewhat. We view this as perfectly normal. Other aircraft manufacturers often have to make such adjustments."
FAA certification will help other aircraft makers expand beyond China, said Chen Wenhao, general manager of Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation Industry Co., whose small aircraft used for crop dusting and forestry received the FAA's approval Friday.
"We have a cost advantage and a price advantage," Chen said. "With the safety certification I think we will have good prospects overseas."
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