China’s AG600, the world’s largest amphibious aircraft, is now certified to fly with a 12-ton water load after successful crosswind tests and regulatory approval.
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| The AG600, China’s homegrown 12-ton amphibious aircraft, gains flight certification and expands operational use from firefighting to scientific missions. Image: CH |
Beijing, China – May 13, 2025:
China’s domestically developed AG600 amphibious aircraft — the largest of its kind in the world — has completed critical crosswind flight tests and received regulatory approval, paving the way for full-scale operations in emergency response and environmental missions.
According to a report by Geo News, the AG600 recently passed stringent crosswind takeoff and landing trials in the Jilinhot area of North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. These tests, performed with two aircraft, validated the model's performance under adverse weather conditions, a key factor in its operational reliability.
Manufactured by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the AG600 is engineered for multi-role missions such as aerial firefighting, maritime rescue, and forest conservation. It can carry up to 12 tons of water and land on both land and water surfaces. The successful test results confirmed that the aircraft meets safety standards even when operating in strong crosswinds, which are a major challenge in aviation due to their potential to destabilize aircraft during critical flight phases.
AVIC emphasized that the AG600’s adaptability to complex environments has now been significantly enhanced, broadening its range of emergency and scientific applications. The aircraft's air intake system and several other ground systems have also passed compliance inspections, solidifying its technical readiness.
Following the latest testing phase, one of the AG600 aircraft was transferred to Jiagdeqi Airport in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, where it will support forest conservation efforts through scientific research missions.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China has granted the AG600 a type certificate, formally endorsing the aircraft’s design and airworthiness. This certification marks a major milestone in China’s ambitions to dominate the specialized aviation market for large-scale emergency response aircraft.
As the AG600 enters service, it stands as a symbol of China’s growing capability in advanced aerospace engineering and its commitment to integrating technology into environmental protection and public safety.