Seagull 300 succeeds in maiden overwater flight   

中国“海鸥300”轻型水陆两栖飞机水上首飞成功

Jingmen (CNS) -- The first China-made amphibious plane made its first successful overwater flight in Jingmen, Hubei Province, on Wednesday.

The Seagull 300 (B-006L) took off from a water airport in Jingmen and landed 20 minutes later.

At 8.9 meters long and 12.46 meters wide, the airplane can achieve a cruising speed of 231 kilometers per hour and land on both land and water, including lakes, reservoirs and seas. It can also take off from plateaus at altitudes below 3,500 meters.

Designed as a passenger plane, the Seagull 300 can carry four to six passengers and take off with loads of 1,680 kilograms. Its maximum flight range can reach 1,300 kilometers.

The aircraft is expected to be used for business flights, general travel, transport, patrols, searches, environmental monitoring, and other uses.

Developed by the China Special Vehicle Research Institute, the Seagull 300 is the first of its kind in China to have independent intellectual property rights.