【明報專訊】全球最大規模的巴黎航空展昨在法國布爾揭幕，除了美國波音與歐洲空中巴士「大鬥法」，雄心勃勃的中國亦安排國產C919大型客機亮相。這是C919客機1：1展示樣本機首次在海外展出。波音高層昨坦言，中國正急起直追，迅速發展民航機工業，必須加快研發未來客機，以保持競爭優勢。
負責研製C919的中國商用飛機公司表示，今次向外界展示的，是C919駕駛艙和客艙前段。中國商飛表示，C919項目今年將完成全部供應商合同的簽署，落實開工製造，為2014年實現首飛、2016年取得飛行牌照並投入市場，打下基礎。
融入世界航空產業鏈
波音商業客機主管奧爾鮑（Jim Albaugh）昨直言，中國飛機製造商「可能比任何人想像中更快在國際市場獲得訂單」。他說﹕「他們時刻都在進步，且投入了大量資源。」被問中國製民航機會否成為競爭威脅時，他表示波音必須保持比中國以至俄國巴西等新對手走前一步，「當他們建造今天的飛機時，我們必須確保正在建造屬於未來的飛機。我們要維持科技上的優勢。我們相信一些新對手將取得成功。我們會認真看待。」
中國今次以「融入世界航空產業鏈」為主題亮相巴黎航展，展示中國在技術創新方面整體實力的提升，以及融入世界航空產業鏈的最新成果，而最大賣點自然是C919。C919中的C，是China和中國商飛英文縮寫COMAC的首字母，還寓意要躋身國際大型客機市場，長遠跟Airbus（空巴）和Boeing（波音）平起平坐，形成ABC格局。
波音737和空客A320是目前中國國內航空公司使用最多的機型，C919正是以它們為競爭對象，盼爭奪中型商務客機市場。分析家認為，C919無論從載客能力還是燃油消耗、操控性能等，都能與波音737和空客A320不相上下，但價錢可望較便宜，比後兩者更具競爭力。目前內地航空公司已訂購約百架C919飛機，但外國賣家只有一間，就是美國通用電氣的租賃部門，C919需爭取機會在國際打響名堂。
SOURCE: http://news.mingpao.com/20110621/tba1.htm
The cabin of the future designed by Airbus Photograph: Airbus/PA
A futuristic concept of air travel in which passengers will be able to gaze up at sunny or starry skies through a transparent cabin has been presented by planemaker Airbus.
The concept cabin for travellers in 2050 would be a bionic structure that mimics the efficiency of bird bone.It would provide strength where needed, and also allows for an "intelligent" cabin wall membrane which controls air temperature and can become transparent to give passengers open, panoramic views.
The cabin would have seats that fit passengers' body shapes and travellers might be able to read bedtime stories to their children back home, Airbus said.
Showing off its concept cabin, the company also said that mid-century passengers might be able to enjoy a game of virtual golf or take part in interactive conferences, while the cabin "identifies and responds" to travellers' needs.
The cabin of the future follows last year's unveiling of the Airbus concept plane, packed with technologies to reduce fuel burn, emissions, waste and noise.
In the cabin concept, new personalised zones replace the traditional cabin classes.
The "vitalising zone" helps passengers relax, with vitamin and antioxidant-enriched air, mood lighting, aromatherapy and acupressure treatments.
In the "interactive zone" there are virtual pop-up projections taking passengers to whichever social scene they want to be in, from holographic gaming to virtual changing rooms for active shoppers.
The "smart tech zone" is tailored towards the more functional-oriented passenger with what Airbus describes as "a chameleon-style offering, to meet individual needs ranging from a simple to a complete luxury service, but all allowing you to continue life as if on the ground".
Airbus engineering executive vice-president Charles Champion said: "Our research shows that passengers of 2050 will expect a seamless travel experience while also caring for the environment.
"The concept cabin is designed with that in mind, and shows that the journey can be as much a voyage of discovery as the destination."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jun/14/airbus-future-of-flying
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