The world's largest amphibious aircraft makes its first flight in China

The Chinese-built AG600 amphibious aircraft has made its maiden flight, Xinhua reports. AG600, notes Reuters , is currently the largest amphibious aircraft in the world.

The plane took off from the airport in Zhuhai, spent about an hour in the air and returned to the airport of departure.

The AG600 was developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The length of its fuselage is 39.6 meters, the wingspan is 38.8 meters. The amphibious aircraft can take on board up to 53.5 tons of cargo.

• made its first flight , which, as its creators expect, will become the main competitor of the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-800. In May, the Chinese-made medium-haul airliner COMAC C919
• In November 2016, the first demonstration flight of the Chinese fifth-generation Jian-20 (J-20) fighter took place, and in July of the same year, the PRC adopted a heavy transport aircraft , which, according to Chinese official sources, is the world's largest of mass-produced.
• The largest amphibious aircraft was considered the Soviet A-40 "Albatross" - its length is 45.7 meters, the wingspan is 42.5 meters. The A-40 made its first flight in 1986. Two such aircraft were built, including a prototype. After the collapse of the USSR, the project was curtailed. In 2016, the Ministry of Defense announced the resumption of the project, but the progress of its implementation has not yet been reported.