China's C919 airliner, developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), has entered a critical maintenance phase with its first 'C-checks' being conducted. These rigorous inspections are essential for demonstrating the aircraft's long-term airworthiness, particularly to European aviation regulators, as China aims to challenge the established duopoly of Boeing and Airbus in the narrowbody aircraft market.
China Southern Airlines recently completed the first C-check on its C919 fleet. The process, which lasted three weeks and required 6,000 man-hours, involved detailed item-by-item inspections, with some components being disconnected for testing. This maintenance milestone is significant as the first C919s delivered to major Chinese carriers, including China Southern, China Eastern, and Air China, have now reached the flight-time and cycle thresholds necessitating such checks.
The C-check is the second most complex level of inspection within the standard 'A, B, C, D' hierarchy required by aviation authorities globally to certify an aircraft's airworthiness. Typically performed every 18-24 months or after 4,000-6,000 flight hours, these checks serve as a comprehensive audit of the aircraft's durability and safety.
