
BEIJING, March 12 (Xinhua) -- China's AG600 amphibious aircraft will attempt its first takeoff from water in the city of Jingmen, Hubei Province, in the second half of this year, according to its developer, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), Monday.
The AG600, code named "Kunlong," completed its maiden flight last December, and finished two test flights in January this year.
"During the recent two flights, the aircraft passed all the test subjects and its various systems functioned normally," said Zhou Guoqiang, AVIC's spokesman.
Designed to be the world's largest amphibious aircraft, the AG600 is powered by four domestically built turboprop engines and has a range of 12 hours.
It will be mainly used for maritime rescue, fighting forest fires and marine monitoring.
Before its first flight from water, the aircraft will undergo a series of trials to test its watertightness and hydroplaning performance at low,medium and high speeds, Zhou said.
The AG600 is the third member of China's "large aircraft family" following the large freighter Y-20 and large passenger aircraft C919, which made maiden flights in 2013 and 2017, respectively.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses