Honeywell and AVIC Xi'an Flight Automatic Control Research Institute (AVIC FACRI) held a groundbreaking ceremony in Xi'an today for a new R&D and manufacturing plant to be run by HonFei Flight Controls Technology Co. Ltd. With this new plant under construction, Honeywell and AVIC FACRI are working more closely to support the development of China's commercial aircraft projects.

Honeywell Aerospace executives and honored guests attended today's ceremony held in Xi'an city. The attendees include Li Yi, member of the standing committee of Xi'an Municipal Committee and secretary of Working Committee of CPC Party in Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone; Song Kepu, director of FACRI and chairman of HonFei; Steven Lien, president, Asia Pacific, Honeywell Aerospace; and Jeff Rollins, vice president, Asia Pacific OEM, Honeywell Aerospace.

HonFei is a joint venture of Honeywell and AVIC FACRI, and it provides a flight control fly-by-wire system for the C919 airliner. The new plant is located in Yanta district of Xi'an and covers an area of about 9,400 square meters (about 2.3 acres). HonFei will set up new facilities that include flight control system, software and hardware laboratories in addition to a Highly Accelerated Stress Screen test bench, all of which will expand both company's R&D and manufacturing capabilities. Taking advantage of Honeywell's leading technology in fly-by-wire flight control, and AVIC FACRI's solid technology base and its expertise of more than five decades, this new plant will provide strong support for China's commercial aircraft projects, especially for the C919, China's first large commercial airliner.

For decades, Honeywell has been playing an active role in supporting China's industry development. With its leading technology and comprehensive product portfolio, Honeywell was selected by COMAC to provide flight control systems, wheels and brakes, auxiliary power units, and navigation systems for the C919. On July 15, 2010, Honeywell and AVIC FACRI signed a cooperation intention agreement. In 2012, the two parties signed an investment memorandum of understanding with Xi'an Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, followed by the establishment of HonFei's previous site.