C919 Pilot Milestone: China Appoints First Female Captain & 4 Global Reads You Missed

China has appointed its first female C919 captain, marking a significant milestone. The pilot, Yu Yue, flies for China Southern Airlines. Her appointment is a key step in expanding the Chinese commercial aviation talent pool.

Soaring to the Top: C919 Pilot Milestone

Captain Yu Yue transitioned to the C919 program this year. She previously spent a decade flying the US-made Boeing 737. This high-stakes switch makes her an inspiration for women nationwide. State media reports confirm her “zero-error” flight record since 2015. She underwent months of intensive training in Shanghai. This training included full-flight simulator sessions.

Her move is part of a systemic shift. China is transitioning elite pilots to operate the domestically-built C919 narrowbody airliner.

Strategic Pilot Transition

The C919, built by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), is a direct competitor to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. China's three largest state-owned carriers are expanding their C919 fleets. China Southern, Air China, and China Eastern have each committed to buying at least 100 jets. This necessitates a rapid expansion of the C919 talent pool expansion.

Skilled pilots are undergoing C919 transition training. This is coordinated with COMAC and aviation regulators. The C919 entered domestic service in May 2023. It has since flown over one million passengers, according to COMAC data.

Women in Chinese Aviation

Yu Yue’s promotion highlights the role of women in aviation China. Female pilots still represent a small fraction of the total workforce. They make up less than 2% of China's civilian pilot workforce, according to reports. This is significantly lower than the approximately 9% in the United States, as per 2023 FAA data.

However, women are taking on more senior roles. For example, a female lead designer contributed to the C919 project. She is now leading the design of the larger C929 wide-body jet. This suggests a growing influence in the sector. The C919 program's success is vital to China's long-term industrial goals. It aims to reduce reliance on Western manufacturers. The COMAC C919 pilot appointments show a commitment to domestic operations. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.

• First Female Captain: Yu Yue is the first female pilot to exclusively captain the C919 jet.
• Strategic Shift: She transitioned from flying the Boeing 737, aligning with China's goal to move elite pilots to the C919.
• Fleet Expansion: China's "Big 3" airlines have ordered at least 100 C919 units each, driving the need for pilot retraining.
• Gender Gap: Women comprise under 2% of China's civilian pilots, making this appointment highly symbolic.