Current location:politics >>
Firefighting variant of AG600 seaplane ready for type certification
politics4897People have gathered around
IntroductionThe AG600M, the fire-extinguishing variant of China's AG600 seaplane, is scheduled to gain its type ...
The AG600M, the fire-extinguishing variant of China's AG600 seaplane, is scheduled to gain its type certification this year, according to Aviation Industry Corp of China, the nation's leading aircraft maker.
The State-owned conglomerate said that passing the type certification is the major task for the AG600M project team, and engineers have been working to meet the schedule.
Type certification refers to a set of procedures overseen by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and is one of the crucial stages any civilian aircraft needs to go through to make sure its design and performance meet related requirements.
After receiving type certification, civilian aircraft also need to gain production certification and airworthiness certification.
So far, four AG600M prototypes have been used in test flights and have carried out fire-extinguishing trial operations in typical blaze scenarios.
In January, two prototypes conducted test flights in an extremely cold environment.
The tests took place at Hulunbuir Hailar Airport in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and verified the AG600M's capability and performance in freezing temperatures ranging from -20 C to -40 C. The test crew also checked procedures for operations in cold weather, AVIC said.
The company said that in the coming months, the AG600M project team will carry out a series of test flights across the country to meet its schedule of qualifying the aircraft for the type certification before the end of this year.
After the airworthiness certification work, initial deliveries are expected to start before 2025, according to AVIC.
The AG600M model performed its first land-based test flight in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, in May 2022. It carried out its first water-based test flight in Jingmen, Hubei province, in August that year.
It has a maximum takeoff weight of 60 metric tons. In a typical firefighting operation, it will collect 12 tons of water from a lake or sea, which should take less than 20 seconds, and use it to douse fires over an area of about 4,000 square meters, designers said, adding that the plane has a flight range of up to 4,500 kilometers.
The AG600 is China's second amphibious aircraft model after the SH-5, which was developed in the 1970s for military purposes and has long been retired from service.
It is one of three large-size aircraft to emerge from the nation's ambitious effort to become a top-tier player in the global aviation industry, joining the Y-20 strategic transport plane and the C919 narrow-body jetliner. Both the Y-20 and C919 have been in active service.
Tens of thousands of researchers and engineers from nearly 200 domestic institutes, universities and enterprises took part in the design and production work of the plane.
With a length of 37 meters and a wingspan of 38.8 meters, the AG600 is roughly the size of a Boeing 737. It is the world's biggest amphibious aircraft, surpassing Japan's ShinMaywa US-2 and Russia's Beriev Be-200.
The aircraft is designed for both ground and water-based takeoffs and landings. It is capable of rescuing 50 people during a maritime rescue mission, designers said.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Culture Compass news portal”。http://mauritius.downmusic.org/news-13d899972.html
Related articles
Poland arrests sabotage suspects and warns of potential hostile acts by Russia
politicsWARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that three people were recently ...
【politics】
Read moreAuckland woman's breath
politicsNorthland's top roading cop has described the woman's breath-alcohol level as "staggering". Photo: S ...
【politics】
Read moreUS House passes bill that could ban TikTok nationwide
politicsBy David Shepardson for ReutersThe fate of TikTok, used by about 170 million Americans, has become a ...
【politics】
Read more
Popular articles
- Russia begins nuclear drills in an apparent warning to West over Ukraine
- Nikki Haley Wins District of Columbia's Republican Primary, Gets Her First 2024 Victory
- Moscow attack: Russian court charges four men with act of terrorism
- 403,000 people's personal information taken in MediaWorks cyberattack
- Singapore Airlines: 1 dead, others injured after London
- Mediaworks data breach: Hackers email victims, demanding $820
Latest articles
Election 2024: Nikki Haley faces a key decision on whether or not to endorse Trump
War a real threat and Europe not ready, warns Poland's PM
What is going on with P Diddy?
Pence says he will not endorse former boss Trump in 2024 US election
Spain withdraws its ambassador to Argentina over comments made by President Milei
Coronavirus death toll in Italy surpasses China
LINKS
- Chinese Astronauts Give Lecture from Space Station
- China Focus: COVID
- Across China: Education Paves Broader Way for Students in Former China Revolutionary Base
- Villagers Get Access to Medical Treatment in Rural Areas in East China's Shandong
- China Focus: China Steps up Protecting Vulnerable Groups amid COVID
- Beijing Central Axis to Compete for World Cultural Heritage Status
- Media Center for 20th CPC National Congress to Open on Oct. 12
- Four More Chinese Irrigation Projects Designated World Heritage Structures
- Trade Fair Strengthens Win
- China Claims 5th Straight Women's Title at Table Tennis Team Worlds