Chinese-made amphibious aircraft to take off in 2013

New Delhi, Oct 21 : The first Chinese-made large amphibious aircraft about the size of an Airbus 320 is scheduled to take off in 2013, and ready for mass production in 2015.

The amphibious aircraft will handle emergency services and military tasks that are difficult or impossible with current aircraft in China today, the China Daily quoted a senior engineer of the manufacturer, as saying.

Previously, China has developed large hydroplanes and small amphibious aircraft, said Chen Zhengguo, the project's chief engineer.

But large amphibious aircraft will be more useful in putting out forest fires, carrying out long-range air-sea rescues, and taking on anti-submarine missions, according to the news release by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The Chinese-made amphibious aircraft can take off on both land and water. As it flies at a height of 30 to 50 m over the treetops, the success rate of spreading water over a fire could reach 98 percent.

Engineers also aimed to develop the amphibious aircraft into one that can help rescue more people on the sea.

Russia, Japan, Canada and the United States already have developed their own amphibious aircraft.

--ANI