China to deploy 4 AG600 large amphibious aircraft in test flight: AVIC

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Four AG600 large amphibious airplanes will conduct flight tests to facilitate its certification schedule, said its developer the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) Friday.

In 2019, AVIC will focus on three major aspects to push forward the AG600 project - the flight test of No.001 aircraft, the aircraft design optimization, and parts fabrication, said AVIC.

The flight test of the No.001 AG600 aircraft will be conducted to test the model's characteristics of stalling, hydrodynamic and flight envelope extension.

Meanwhile, test pilots will also begin training for this new model.

Codenamed "Kunlong," the AG600 is designed to be the world's largest amphibious aircraft. This large-scale special-purpose civil aircraft is developed to assist with fighting forest fires and water rescues.

The AG600 conducted its maiden flight in December 2017 and completed its first water takeoff and landing in October 2018.