The Civil Aviation Shanghai Certification Center has completed several RNP AR certification test flights for the C909 aircraft. The tests were conducted in stages across plains, plateaus, and high-plateaus to verify high-precision navigation and operational capabilities in complex terrain.
RNP AR (Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required) is a high-precision navigation technology based on the Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) system. It allows aircraft to fly precisely along pre-defined tracks using onboard navigation equipment and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), removing the necessity for ground-based navigation aids for takeoff and landing.
The C909, formerly known as the ARJ21, is a 90-seat short-to-medium range turbofan regional jet developed independently by China. The aircraft is designed for high temperatures, plateaus, and short, narrow runways. Since entering commercial operation in 2016, 186 aircraft have been delivered by June 2026, accounting for 70% of China's regional fleet.
