China's independently developed AG600 large amphibious aircraft has successfully completed all compliance flight tests in the ground takeoff and landing in crosswind conditions, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
The successful crosswind flight tests are significant to further enhancing the AG600's adaptability to complex environments and expanding its operation and application scenario ranges, said AVIC, the country's leading aircraft manufacturer.
Strong crosswinds are inevitable meteorological conditions during aircraft operations. When they are encountered, takeoff and landing become significantly difficult, and equipment malfunction risks rise accordingly.
Two AG600 aircraft recently underwent crosswind compliance flight tests in Xilinhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The results of these tests met requirements, fully verifying the safety and reliability of the AG600 in strong crosswind conditions, AVIC said.
The aircraft's air intake system has passed its compliance flight test, and several other ground tests have been carried out in Xilinhot.
Following these tests, one AG600 aircraft undertook a ferry flight to an airport in Jiagedaqi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. It will be stationed there to serve a forest protection scientific research mission, according to its developer.
The AG600 is the world's largest civil amphibious aircraft in terms of takeoff weight -- a maximum of 60 tons. Notably, it can carry 12 tons of water for firefighting missions.
Although the AG600 obtained its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China last month, which marked its successful development and market entry approval, a full-scale fatigue test on the aircraft is still underway at the Aircraft Strength Research Institute in Xi'an, the capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
Fatigue testing is a complicated and lengthy process, the institute told reporters, adding the aircraft will be tested for 15,000 flights.
"We need to make breakthroughs in many key technologies through a large number of preliminary research projects such as civil aircraft researches. We will carry out lots of strength checks and structural optimizations to see if the design meets requirements. If the aircraft is overweight, we will lower its weight by various means such as size optimization and topology optimization while ensuring it meets strength requirements," said Wang Binwen, director of the institute.
China's AG600 large amphibious aircraft completes crosswind flight tests
