AVIC unit Xian Aircraft has delivered key parts for the second AG600 amphibian being built in the southern city of Zhuhai.
Major changes for the second aircraft include some structural modifications, as well as strengthening of the leading edges of the wings, says AVIC in a statement.
Xian aircraft produces the aircraft’s wings in Xian before shipping them to China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA) in Zhuhai. It also produces the middle fueslage.
The forward fuselage is produced in Chengdu, while the rear fuselage section and tail are made in Hanzhong.
The AG600 made its public debut on the Air Show China static line in November.
An AVIC official told FlightGlobal the first flight is planned for 2017. This is two years after the originally-planned 2015, but there have been developmental delays with the aircraft.
AVIC is some way from getting a production certificate for the type. A production certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) means that each aircraft produced does not need to be independently certificated.
The official also disclosed that the type is powered by locally-produced Dongan WJ-6 turboprops.
The AG600 will undertake a range of missions, and its target market is domestic parapublic organisations. Its main functions are search and rescue and transport.
The aircraft can also serve as a water bomber, with a large tank located under the forward half of the aircraft.
安迅思广州2月13日
Source: FlightGlobal.com
