First Chinese built A320 maiden flight

[Nigel C]

From http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-...0519-bddm.html

China's first Airbus A320 completes maiden flight
The first A320 aircraft assembled in China successfully completed its maiden flight yesterday. Photo: AFP

May 19, 2009 - 11:07AM

The first A320 aircraft assembled in China successfully completed its maiden flight yesterday and is to be delivered to a Chinese customer in June, European plane maker Airbus announced.

"The first A320 assembled ... on an Airbus final assembly line in China successfully carried out its first flight today," the manufacturer said.

The plane next month will be delivered to Dragon Aviation Leasing and will be operated by Sichuan Airlines, the company added.

Airbus said 11 A319/320 passenger aircraft are to be delivered this year from Tianjin, 120 kilometers north of Beijing, where the company opened an assembly plant last year.

The plant's output is expected to increase to four planes a month by the end of 2011.

AFP

[Lee G]

I bet it breaks is three months and they have to buy a new one!

[Nigel C]

I wonder how the resale value of the Chinese models will go compared to the European stuff, sort of how USA made Fender guitars generally are more highly regarded than their Mexican or Japanese manufactured guitars?

[Lee G]

I would think that Airbus would have their own quality control in place to ensure that the product is not compromised on where it was built. It's not like they can go for lesser quality without a major drop in the perception of safety.

On a lighter note - I can't wait to get the first photo of "Made in China" on the underside of the aircraft!

[David Ramsay]

A thlee twenty.

[NickN]

Made entirely from plastic parts and "Goodride" tyres.

[phil.l]

Do they have a different set of C/N ?

[Grahame Hutchison]

I wonder how long it will be before we see a cheap knock off A320 down the markets in Beijing.

They do use a different C/N system, its Chinese / Numbers.

[Arthur Boy]

And they will all carry the same c/n!!!!

(with Apols!)

[Tim Bowrey]

Originally Posted by David Ramsay

A thlee twenty.

Should be "A Tree Twenty"