The third prototype of the Chinese C919 flew for the first time last Friday.   
   The Chinese airliner took off from Pudong International Airport near Shanghai   
   and remained in the air for an hour and 38 minutes. The further test flight   
   program will take place in Xian.   
       
   The C919 has a capacity of 150 passengers and is the Chinese response to the   
   Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. The first C919 flew in May last year, the second   
   test aircraft took to the air for the first time in December 2017.   
       
   The Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC will use three more C919s for the test   
   flight program. These aircraft will fly for the first time in 2019, reports   
   Xinhua state press agency.   
       
   In total, more than three hundred C919s have been ordered so far. If all   
   outstanding options are redeemed, that number can amount to more than a   
   thousand machines. Practically the complete business for the C919 comes from   
   China itself.   
      
   --- D'Bridge 3.99 SR40   
    * Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)