All four engines of the world’s largest amphibious aircraft, the AG600, worked successfully during initial trials in Zhuhai on Feb 13, clearing way for a maiden flight this spring.

AG600 [Photo by Zhong Fei / Zhuhai Daily] 

The rescue aircraft came off the assembly line in Zhuhai on July 23, 2016 as another milestone for China’s large-aircraft industry, joining transport aircraft Xi’an Y-20 and passenger jet C919. The amphibian made its debut on Oct 30 in the static display area of Airshow China 2016, which opened in Zhuhai for six days on Nov 1. 

The AG600 project team completed integrated adjustments and tests on avionics, hydraulic manipulation, and other systems within several months. Ground testing for the AG600-equipped WJ6 turboprop engine and JL4A-1 propeller system on fire proofing, engine control and display, and fuel systems was also carried out. Expert review and ground drills had been conducted before the testing. 

The flying behemoth has a white coating with blue curves. According to the Jinwan-based manufacturer, China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA), the blue curve design was inspired by waves and depicts both the gentleness and vibrant power of water, which is in line with its amphibious characteristics. 

The AG600 measures 37 m in length, 38.8 m in wingspan, and 12.1 m in height. It can draw onboard 12 tons of water within 20 seconds, with a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tons. A full tank of water could cover a fire spread of up to 4,000 sq m.

With a maximum speed of 500 km per hour, the aircraft can travel 10 hours over more than 4,000 km operating at upper limits. Apart from low-altitude searches of the water surface, the AG600 can also carry out rescue operations in adverse weather conditions, even with waves as high as 2 m. It can accommodate up to 50 people in distress with a cruising speed 10 times that of a rescue ship, and offer rescue even in the open seas.

Besides forest firefighting and water rescue operations, it can be refitted for marine environmental monitoring and safe travel for navigations along the Maritime Silk Road. 

The AG600 has been independently developed and manufactured by the entire aviation industry in China under the coordination of CAIGA in Zhuhai. It is not only large, but also marks a huge advance in the country’s emergency forest firefighting and water rescue capabilities. 

CAIGA staff report that maiden flight advanced works were in steady progress, such as ground sliding preparations, trial flight plans, and onboard experiments such as compliance check tag-out of aircraft manufacturing before resonance and full-aircraft resonance.