China's Avic 1 floats public competition to find a name for its new aircraft

Chinese aircraft maker Avic 1 has asked the public to find a name for the country's first world class commercial aircraft. Submissions of names between two and four Chinese characters long will be accepted until 28 September, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

The final name chosen will be announced in December, and the winner will get a cash prize of 50,000-yuan ($6,623, €4,847).

Currently known by its developmental name ARJ-21, the aircraft is a regional passenger jet with up to 85 seats. Its maiden flight is scheduled for March 2008, and mass production is scheduled to begin in 2009.