AG-600, the world's largest amphibious aircraft, takes its maiden flight in Zhuhai, Guangdong province on Dec 24, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]
An AG-600 piloted by four crew members took off from Jinwan Airport at 9:39 am and remained airborne for about one hour before landing at the same airport.
A congratulatory letter sent by the Communist Party of China's Central Committee and State Council was announced at the maiden flight ceremony, which was attended by Vice-Premier Ma Kai, Guangdong's Party chief Li Xi and hundreds of officials as well as another 3,000 spectators.
Development of the AG-600 was approved by the government in June 2009 and then started at the Aviation Industry Corp of China, the country's leading aircraft maker. Construction for its first prototype began in March 2014 and was completed in July 2016.
In April, the first ground taxiing test was successful. In early December, the seaplane received the government's approval for the first flight.
The aircraft will mainly be tasked with performing aerial firefighting and maritime search and rescue. It can also be refitted to conduct marine environmental inspections, marine resource surveys as well as personnel and supply transportation, according to AVIC.
Powered by four domestically designed WJ-6 turboprop engines, AG-600 has a size roughly comparable to that of a Boeing 737 and a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 metric tons. These specifications have made it the world's largest amphibious aircraft, surpassing Japan's ShinMaywa US-2 and Russia's Beriev Be-200.
Source:ChinaDaily
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