The East China Sea Rescue and Salvage Bureau of China's Ministry of Transport commissioned the country's first fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft King Air 350ER in east China's Fujian Province Thursday.
The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 7.5 tonnes, and a maximum range of 2,570 nautical miles. Its search and rescue radius can reach 1,000 nautical miles.
With a maximum flight speed of 561 kilometers per hour, the aircraft is capable of taking off and landing in visibility of not less than 800 meters and on an over-1,300-meter runway.
Except in extreme weather conditions, King Air 350ER is able to carry out 24-hour maritime
"The aircraft is more resilient to various meteorological conditions. It has longer operation range and greater search and rescue radius. It also has a longer hang time, which is helpful in situations where helicopter and ship cannot reach the operation site fast enough. The commission of the aircraft has effectively enhanced our rescue efficiency and helped us to build our first complete air rescue system," said Jiang Wenhui, deputy director of East China Sea Rescue and Salvage Bureau.
After the commission, a joint air-sea rescue training was organized by the bureau, with simulated situations being created so that fixed-wing aircraft would take off and search in the air for locating the crew in distress on sea.
China commissions its first fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft
