Overview

• China’s Civil Aviation Administration granted mass production approval for the AG600 on June 11 after Avic demonstrated a reliable manufacturing system that meets safety standards.
• The first batch of AG600s completed production test flights in Zhuhai in May, including a 12-tonne water drop trial that lasted 17 minutes before a smooth landing.
• Built for maritime search-and-rescue and natural disaster response, the aircraft can carry 50 people and scoop 12 metric tonnes of water in 20 seconds for firefighting missions.
• Powered by four turboprop engines, the plane has a range of 4,500 km, excels at low-altitude and low-speed operations, and can take off and land in two-metre waves.
• The certification advances China’s drive for a self-reliant civil aviation sector alongside its Y-20 transport plane and C919 airliner while mitigating US technology export restrictions.