AG600M large amphibious aircraft completes maiden flight test

(ECNS) -- The third AG600M firefighting aircraft completed its first test flight Friday in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong province, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country's leading plane-maker.

During the 13-minute flight from 8:10 a.m. to 8:23 a.m. Beijing time, the aircraft performed well, with all its systems operating stably, AVIC said.

China has produced four AG600M aircraft prototypes, a full-configuration firefighting model belonging to the AG600 large amphibious aircraft family, to carry out flight test missions, it was said.

The first AG600M aircraft prototype made its maiden flight from the ground on May 31, and from water on Aug. 29. The second AG600M firefighting aircraft prototype completed its first flight test mission from the ground on Sept. 10.