China’s Xinzhou-700 aircraft development resumed amid epidemic

Development of China’s Xinzhou-700 aircraft was resumed on Feb.10 as scheduled, thereby entering a new stage of development while the country is simultaneously making great efforts to fight the novel coronavirus epidemic, Science and Technology Daily reported.

(Photo via AVIC XAC Commercial Aircraft Co., Ltd.)

The Xinzhou-700 aircraft is a 70-seat new-generation turboprop regional aircraft developed independently by Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd. (AVIC), a state-owned aircraft manufacturer in China.

The aircraft is being developed by AVIC XAC Commercial Aircraft Co., Ltd., a member of AVIC. AVIC XAC Commercial Aircraft Co., Ltd. has so far received orders from 11 clients for 285 Xinzhou-700 planes.

Assembly of the aircraft started in 2019, and the docking between the front and middle parts of the fuselage, as well as the fuselage and the nose, were completed successfully last year.

The year 2020 is a critical year for the development of the Xinzhou-700 aircraft, as fruitful results are expected to be achieved in the project. At present, final assembly and tail-in work for both the maiden flight and static tests of the aircraft are carried out day and night.

“The task of completing airtight testing is urgent. There is a delay in the research progress because of the epidemic. Still, we are making efforts to catch up with the originally intended schedule,” said Han Jiawei, head of the technical team in charge of the final assembly of Xinzhou-700.

In an effort to ensure smooth operation of the project amid the current serious epidemic situation, AVIC XAC Commercial Aircraft Co., Ltd. has adopted strict measures covering every aspect in front-line production and companywide management, according to Wang Chengkuan, general manager of the company.

All the work areas and offices are completely disinfected at 7 a.m. every day, and all staff members who have returned to their jobs can only enter their workplaces after having their state of health and body temperatures verified.

In addition, on-site workers need to have their body temperatures taken in their work areas for the second time, and would only be allowed to work after meeting relevant requirements.

AVIC XAC Commercial Aircraft Co., Ltd. has prepared face masks and protective goggles for all staff members who returned to work, and real-time inspection in the workplace of the team in charge of the final assembly is carried out to prevent excessive density of staff members, according to the company.