China began international showcasing of the AVIC AG600 Kunlong seaplane at Russia’s International Aviation and Space Salon event in Zhukovsky, Russia in late August. The AG600 is currently the world’s largest amphibious aircraft.
China’s Aviation Industry Corp (AVIC,) China’s state owned aircraft manufacturer showcased a large-scale model of the AG600 at the China Pavilion at the show that opened on August 27th, 2019.
Li Yang, marketing manager for AVIC stated that the AG600 ”will contribute to international efforts in disaster relief and prevention and we will deliver the aircraft to clients in accordance with their requirements.”
AVIC stated that mass production of the AG600 is expected in 2023 once the aircraft gains all necessary certifications from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
There are currently two AG600 prototypes aircraft in testing with the first scheduled to begin sea-based flight testing soon. The company plans to build an additional four AG600 test aircraft over the next several years to assist in the testing and certification of the aircraft.
Initial development of the AG600 began in June of 2009 following approval of the idea with development and design of the aircraft involving more than 10,000 researchers and engineers. AVIC also shared that development also involved work from hundreds of domestic institutes in China during initial concept design.
Construction of the AG600 prototype began early in 2014 and was completed in mid 2016 before the aircraft’s maiden flight was performed in Zuhai, Guangdong Province in December of 2017.
The first amphibious flight of the AG600 took place in October of 2018 in Hubei Provinces Zhanghe Reservoir, Jingmen.
At roughly the size of a Boeing 733, the AG600 has a length of 37 meters, wingspan of 38.8 meters, powered by locally designed and manufactured WJ-6 turboprop engines. The AG600 has a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 metric tons with an operational range of almost 2800 miles and can carry 50 people.
AVIC estimates that the amphibious aircraft will be able to carry 3170 gallons of water scooped from the water surface of a lake or ocean in 20 seconds when firefighting.
China began international showcasing of the AVIC AG600 Kunlong seaplane at Russia’s International Aviation and Space Salon event in Zhukovsky, Russia in late August. The AG600 is currently the world’s largest amphibious aircraft.
China’s Aviation Industry Corp (AVIC,) China’s state owned aircraft manufacturer showcased a large-scale model of the AG600 at the China Pavilion at the show that opened on August 27th, 2019.
Li Yang, marketing manager for AVIC stated that the AG600 ”will contribute to international efforts in disaster relief and prevention and we will deliver the aircraft to clients in accordance with their requirements.”
AVIC stated that mass production of the AG600 is expected in 2023 once the aircraft gains all necessary certifications from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
There are currently two AG600 prototypes aircraft in testing with the first scheduled to begin sea-based flight testing soon. The company plans to build an additional four AG600 test aircraft over the next several years to assist in the testing and certification of the aircraft.
Initial development of the AG600 began in June of 2009 following approval of the idea with development and design of the aircraft involving more than 10,000 researchers and engineers. AVIC also shared that development also involved work from hundreds of domestic institutes in China during initial concept design.
Construction of the AG600 prototype began early in 2014 and was completed in mid 2016 before the aircraft’s maiden flight was performed in Zuhai, Guangdong Province in December of 2017.
The first amphibious flight of the AG600 took place in October of 2018 in Hubei Provinces Zhanghe Reservoir, Jingmen.
At roughly the size of a Boeing 733, the AG600 has a length of 37 meters, wingspan of 38.8 meters, powered by locally designed and manufactured WJ-6 turboprop engines. The AG600 has a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 metric tons with an operational range of almost 2800 miles and can carry 50 people.
AVIC estimates that the amphibious aircraft will be able to carry 3170 gallons of water scooped from the water surface of a lake or ocean in 20 seconds when firefighting.
