China is expecting to introduce it’s amphibious aircraft, which appears to be one of the world’s largest aircraft by 2020.
According to the state-owned manufacturer, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the aircraft (AG600) code-named Kunlong, will mainly be used for maritime rescue, fighting forest fires and marine monitoring .
The aircraft’s chief designer Huang Lingcai, said after its successful maiden flight in December last year, they have been planning a ferry flight from its research base in Zhuhai to Jingmen, central China’s Hubei Province, in July.
Afterwards, it will be prepared for its first take-off from water, scheduled for later this year.
It’s take-off from water will take place at a large reservoir in Jingmen.
With a range of up to 4,500 kilometres, it is designed to takeoff and land even in the 2-metres high waves.
Huang however revealed that they are endeavouring to get the airworthiness certification from the civil aviation authorities by 2021, and deliver it to the customers by 2022.
Report by: Stephanie Horsu
