World's largest amphibious aircraft to take maiden flight in May

An amphibious aircraft AG600 is displayed for the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong province, Oct 30, 2016. The AG600 is by far the world's largest amphibian aircraft, about the size of a Boeing 737. [Photo/Xinhua]

The world's largest amphibious aircraft, the China-made AG600, is expected to make its maiden flight over land in May, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) announced on March 29.

The state aircraft manufacturer said that engineers are finalizing preparations for the test flight. The plane has already passed a series of tests on its systems, equipment and engine.

AVIC has spent almost eight years developing the AG600, which is roughly the size of a Boeing 737 and is designed to carry out marine rescues and battle forest fires. It has a maximum flight range of 4,500 km and a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tons.

The aircraft was displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow, China's biggest gathering of aircraft manufactures and buyers in November last year.