XIAN, China, July 15. Honeywell announced today it has been selected by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) as the fly-by-wire flight control system provider for the new C919 single-aisle commercial airliner. Mark Howes, President of Honeywell Aerospace APAC signed the Letter of Intent together with Mr. Lu Guangshan, President of AVIC Electronics Group, and Mr. Wu Guanghui, Senior Vice President of COMAC.
Honeywell fly-by-wire flight control technology is used on many commercial aircraft, including COMAC's ARJ-21 regional jet, the Boeing 787 and the Embraer 170/190 family. Fly-by-wire systems enable an electronic interface between the cockpit and the aircraft flight control surfaces to ensure a pilot can smoothly and safely handle the aircraft. The Honeywell system for the C919 includes a complete autoflight system with automatic landing capability.
"Honeywell's 60 years of flight control technology development and its selection on COMAC's ARJ21 regional jet provide the experience necessary for the C919," said Mark Howes, president of Honeywell Aerospace, Asia Pacific. "Honeywell looks forward to working with COMAC and the China aviation industry to provide safe, efficient and reliable flight controls on this important program for China's future."
Honeywell will integrate the fly-by-wire system that includes electronics, actuation, MEMS sensors, sidestick and other cockpit controls to provide the C919 a complete flight control capability that optimizes aircraft performance with reduced weight, volume and power requirements.
"C919 operators will benefit from the newly-opened Honeywell China Aerospace Academy," said Adrian Paull, vice president, customer and product support, Honeywell Aerospace. "The academy will help to train customer support and operations leaders to support the needs of a growing aerospace industry in China."
Honeywell also signed a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture with the Flight Automatic Control Research Institute (FACRI) for world-class electronics for the C919.
Honeywell operates 10 different Aerospace facilities throughout China, including Aerospace maintenance and manufacturing facilities in Xiamen, Nanjing, Suzhou and Shanghai. The Asia Pacific business is based in Shanghai.
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Honeywell's aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.
Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges.
