AG600 Can Carry Up To 3,000 Gallons Of Water

A new amphibious firefighting aircraft developed in China flew for the first time on Christmas Eve, according to media reports.

The AG600 is roughly the size of a Boeing 737 but powered by four turboprop engines, according to a report from the BBC. The first flight lasted about an hour, and was conducted from Zhuhai airport in the southern province of Guangdong.

The aircraft is designed to scoop water from a lake and carry it to the scene of a wildfire. In that regard, it operates much like a the CL-215/415 and Air Tractor firefighting aircraft.

But the AG600, which is also known as the TA-600, is a multi-purpose airplane. I has a range of about 3,000 nautical miles and a maximum speed of 308 knots. In a passenger configuration, it can carry 50 passengers in either a military or civilian role, according to the report.

The test pilots for the aircraft were trained by The Coulson Group, which operates two Martin Mars water-scooping aircraft. Those 14 pilots, who were expected to be the first to fly the AG600, went through classroom instruction and taxi training aboard Coulson's Hawaii Martin Mars aircraft.

The first water operations for the AG600 are expected to be conducted in 2018, according to New China TV.

(Image from YouTube Video posted by New China TV)

FMI: Original Report