World’s largest amphibian aircraft passes engine tests

2017-02-15
Xinhua

The China-made amphibian aircraft AG600 makes an appearance at an aviation and aerospace exhibition in Zhuhai, South China’s Guangdong province, Oct 30, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]

The AG600 rolled off a production line in the southern city of Zhuhai last July, and has since undergone a series of rigorous tests.

Between Feb 11 and 13, all four of its engines performed excellently in tests, according to the company.

The 37-meter-long AG600, with a wingspan of 38.8 meters, is by far the world’s largest amphibian aircraft, about the size of a Boeing 737. It is destined to support emergency response efforts.

The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 tonnes and can collect 12 tonnes of water in 20 seconds.

It is the result of nearly seven years of work by a group of 70 aircraft component manufacturers and research teams with over 150 institutes from 20 provinces and municipalities in China, and over 90 percent of the products used on the plane were made in China.

It has received 17 intent orders so far.