The Comac C919 successfully completed its maiden flight at 15:19 local time, after being airborne for one hour and nineteen minutes.

The maiden sortie, flown from Shanghai's Pudong International airport, was broadcast live on Chinese television, with a camera behind the pilot's shoulder. Another camera mounted fore of the nose gear faced backward.

C919 Maiden Sortie

Imaginechina/REX/Shutterstock

The landing gear was extended throughout the entire flight, which appeared to be uneventful.

Comac says that all 15 parameter tests originally planned were successfully carried out during the first flight.

After the landing, the aircraft taxied to a parking bay, where journalists gathered to film the aircraft's five man crew emerge.

comac 4

Comac

The welcome event was attended by Chinese vice president Ma Kai, and C919 chief engineer Wu Guanghui.

C919 first flight

Comac

The C919 is China's most ambitious aircraft to date, aimed squarely at the market dominated by the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.

The aircraft's first flight marks the first step in a testing campaign that will run up to 4,200 hours, and involve six test aircraft. Service entry is planned for 2020 with China Eastern Airlines.

Comac has secured commitments for 570 C919s, mostly from Chinese carriers and leasing companies.

Source: Cirium Dashboard