Pioneering Pilot: Who is the First Female Captain of China's Comac C919?

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) C919 program has reached a new milestone. China's first female C919 captain has been appointed to fly the home-grown narrowbody jet. Yu Yue, a pilot with China Southern Airlines, is the trailblazing aviator. Her appointment is a significant step for both the airline and the national aircraft program.

A High-Stakes Pilot Transition

Captain Yu Yue made a notable career switch this year. She transitioned from flying the US-made Boeing 737 for over a decade. Her move to become a China Southern C919 pilot required intensive training. She was part of a cohort of elite pilots selected for the transition program. This systemic effort is moving skilled aviators from foreign-made jets to the new domestic airliner. The C919 is China's direct competitor to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families.

Yu Yue's training took place at a Comac facility in Shanghai. The program involved months of classroom work and full-flight simulator sessions. These sessions prepared her for complex scenarios like engine failures and severe weather. Since joining the carrier in 2015, she has maintained a "zero-error" flight record, according to state media reports.

Expanding the Domestic Fleet and Talent Pool

The Comac C919 narrowbody jet began domestic service in May 2023. The "big three" state-owned carriers are now increasing its flight frequency. China Southern, Air China, and China Eastern have each committed to buying at least 100 units. Deliveries for these large orders will continue into the 2030s. This rapid fleet expansion requires a large, skilled pool of pilots. China Southern Airlines is actively expanding its pilot retraining plan as more C919 units arrive. The transition training is coordinated by Comac and Chinese regulators.

Yu Yue expressed no hesitation about her decision to switch aircraft. She said she was approached to gauge her willingness to transition and immediately accepted. Her journey serves as an inspiration for many aspiring aviators in the country.

The Role of Female Aviators in China

Yu Yue's appointment highlights the slow but steady progress for female aviators China. The overall proportion of female pilots in China's civil aviation sector remains low. Statistics from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) show the share is less than 2 per cent. By comparison, the US Federal Aviation Administration reported a figure of around 9 per cent in 2023. Despite the low percentage, the number of women is rising. Yu noted that her instructors at the Comac training facility were all female professionals. She also highlighted the increasing number of female pilots and engineers in the industry. China's civil aviation sector is maturing, and women are taking on more leadership roles. For example, the in-development Comac C929 widebody jet has a female lead designer, Zhao Chunling. This project aims to rival the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The promotion of Captain Yu Yue is a powerful symbol of opportunity and professionalism in this male-dominated field. For more insights into global developments, follow the latest commercial aviation news at flying.flights.