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.