The first batch-produced AG600 'Kunlong' aircraft successfully completed its production test flight in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province on Sunday, Xinhua News Agency reported.
The development demonstrates that the aircraft's production has met the design requirements for the model, achieved a safe and usable condition, and met the conditions for leaving the factory. It also marks a key milestone for the AG600 aircraft to obtain a production certificate (PC), meeting with the PC configuration requirements in physical form, according to the report, citing an expert from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
At 7:13 on Sunday, the test flight crew piloted the AG600-1101 aircraft, which took off from Zhuhai Jinwan Airport. It then successfully completed a 12-ton water drop test, flying in the air for 17 minutes before landing smoothly. The aircraft was in good condition, the control system was normal, and all systems were operating stably, according to the Xinhua report.
An expert from AVIC said that in the future, they will promote the operational and commercial success of the AG600, contributing the strength to the construction of China's emergency rescue system and national natural disaster prevention system, according to Xinhua.
On April 20, China's independently developed AG600 large amphibious firefighting aircraft obtained its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in Beijing, marking its successful development and approval to enter commercial operation, Xinhua reported.
On May 6, the first batch-produced AG600 aircraft completed assembly and rolled off the production line. Within 12 days, a series of ground testing tasks had taken place, including ground taxiing, general inspections, mission system checks, and high-altitude flight tests, which is of significant importance for the AG600 aircraft to obtain its PC in the future, said the report.
The AG600 is China's first large civil special-purpose aircraft developed in accordance with the requirements of the civil aviation airworthiness regulations, according to Xinhua.
It is a type of major aeronautical equipment developed to meet the urgent needs of the national emergency rescue system and the national natural disaster prevention and control system, safeguarding the safety of people's lives and property, Xinhua reported.
