JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #119 - March 2018 - 5

aeronautics

The C919 AC101 successfully flew from Shanghai to Xi'an on 10 November 2017

established in 2008. The first prototype was manufactured in 2017 and
the first flight took place on 5 May
2017. We expect to obtain TC certification in 2021 and to start series
production in 2022.
What about series production?

G. Z.: Hiwing manufactured se-

veral prototypes for the C919 programme and obtained the necessary technologies in composite part
manufacturing, providing solid
technical support for the C919 series production.

Hiwing's vision is to become a
global first-class manufacturer of
composite materials.
What is the next step for Hiwing
Materials Co. Ltd.? Is there any word
about the C929 programme?

G. Z.: Hiwing's vision is to beco-

me a global first-class manufacturer of composite materials. Based
on the C919 programme, we will
develop our technology and management abilities and keep improving our core competencies in
composite manufacturing, so that
the company's business expands
from composite aircraft structures
to aircraft engines and commercial
aerospace rockets.
Hiwing is focusing on technology development, infrastructure

construction and business negotiations in order to acquire contracts
for the CR929 aircraft. Considering
the good cooperation relationship
with Hiwing as part of the C919
programme, COM AC shows strong
signs of its willingness to cooperate
under the CR929 programme.
Do you plan to work for other sectors
than aeronautics?

G. Z.: Yes. Following the successful experience of the C919 programme, Hiwing plans to become
involved in other sectors including
international subcontracting, aviation engines, commercial aerospace
and other fields. ¨
More information:
www.hiwinggroup.com

OPlNlON

About Hiwing Materials
Set up in April 2011, Hiwing
Materials is funded by the
3rd Academy of CASIC (China
Aerospace Science & Industry
Corp.), Institute 306 and the
ZhenJiang Government. It
has a registered capital of
RMB 146 million. Its main
business includes composite
parts and structures for commercial aircraft (5% of the activity) and thermal insulation
materials (15%). The company is located in the Yangtze
River Delta, in the Zhenjiang
economic development zone
(Jiangsu Province), not far
from Shanghai.
Involved in the C919 project
since 2009, Hiwing Materials
aims to position itself as
one of the top three Chinese
composite players in the
aeronautics sector. With a
16,200m² plant, a tooling storage area, a clean room and
an assembly area, the company, whose core business
is aviation CFRP materials, is
equipped with an autoclave, a
cutting machine, a laser locator, a 5-axis machine and
a laser tracker. It is responsible for providing the AFTfuselages, the ailerons, the
FRO-fuselages, the vertical
tails and the spoilers for the
C919 programme.

Project objectives
The share of composites in
the C919 programme is only
12%, but Hiwing Materials
will provide as much as 40%
of them, hence playing a central role. 160 people, including
17% of managers, 27% of engineers/technicians and 56%
of operators, are working full
time for the programme. Since 2010, the company has provided four
AFT-fuselages, one aileron, one FRO-fuselage, one vertical tail and four
spoilers. Full-scale production will start in 2021-2022. In parallel, the
company is working on the C929 wide-body aircraft and ARJ21 aircraft
programmes as well as engine developments.
N°119 March 2018 /

jec composites magazine

http://www.hiwinggroup.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #119 - March 2018