Michelin’s Air X radial tire
will be taking flight on the Comac C919, the
first commercial airliner to be designed in
China.
The contract grew out of an alliance created in November of 2009 with China’s Commercial Aircraft Corp. It is the first time that Michelin will be providing tires for a Chinese airliner.
The company has been producing radial aircraft tires since 1981.
To comply with Comac’s requirements and selection process, Michelin had to meet a host of challenges, the tire maker reports. These included respecting a tight development schedule, helping to lower aircraft operating costs, providing technical assistance in China and increasing production capacity in Asia.The airliner’s first flight is expected to take place in 2014 and its entry into service is scheduled for 2016. Positioned in the single-aisle segment with 150 to 200 seats, the plane will initially target China's domestic market.
For more information, visit www.michelin- us.com.
