Alcoa and Comac study advanced aluminum for the C919

US aluminium producer Alcoa and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) say they are jointly exploring technology solutions for Comcac's new C919 narrowbody aircraft. The technology agreement between the two companies involves examining advanced aluminium structural concepts, designs and alloys for the 190-seat aircraft. Comac aims to achieve first flight of the C919 in 2014 followed by an entry-into-service date of 2016. "We are working closely with COMAC to develop a tailored solution that will meet COMAC's goal of creating a globally competitive, high-performance, economical commercial airliner," says Alcoa group EVP and group president for global rolled products and Asia Helmut Wieser. Recently a spokeswoman for Pratt & Whitney said that Comac has expressed an interest in the PW1000G geared turbofan for the C919.