World’s largest amphibious aircraft runs taxi test

China's large domestically produced amphibious aircraft, the AG600, takes its first taxiing test in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong province, on Saturday, April 29, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Li Jin]

The world's largest amphibious aircraft, the China-made AG600, has taken a vital step towards its maiden flight by successfully conducting its first taxiing test on Saturday in Zhuhai of south China's Guangdong province, according to its developer Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AIC).

China's large domestically produced amphibious aircraft, the AG600, takes its first taxiing test in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong province, on Saturday, April 29, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Li Jin]

It's reported that the AG600 is set for its maiden flights over land in May and on water in the second half of 2017.

The AG600, with a maximum range of 4,500 km, has a takeoff weight of 53.5 tonnes. It can collect 12 tonnes of water in 20 seconds and could be used to fight forest fires and for marine rescue missions.

Test pilots pose with the amphibious aircraft AG600 in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong province, on Saturday, April 29, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Li Jin]