Xian Aircraft's MA600 turboprop has completed its first test flight as part of its efforts to gain Chinese certification.
The MA600 had its first test flight on 9 October and it was a 20min flight at the aircraft manufacturer's airport at Yanliang, a town outside Xian, says a marketing official at the company who is responsible for selling the airline's commercial turboprop aircraft.
This aircraft will be part of the static and aerial display at China's Zhuhai airshow which is on in early November, adds the official.
She says the company has so far only built one MA600 and only one is needed for the test programme because the MA600 is very similar to the Xian Aircraft MA60 which already has Chinese certification.
The only major changes to the MA600 is that the passenger door is towards the front of the aircraft whereas the MA60's is towards the rear and the MA600 has Rockwell Collins' Pro Line 21 avionics system whereas the MA60 uses Pro Line 2.
The official says the aim is for the MA600 to receive Chinese certification sometime next year.
In the meantime, Xian Aircraft continues to manufacture MA60s.
Two days ago Philippine carrier Zest Airways officially took delivery of its first two MA60s during a ceremony at Xian Aircraft, says the official.
The aircraft are currently being flown to Manila and are due to arrive there in two days from now, says the official, adding that the ferry flight is via Guangzhou in southern China.
Lead image: © Xinhua
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Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
