Chinese Aviation Industry
- Thread starter FriedRiceNSpice
- Start date
It's a mythical amphibious creature related to Chinese dragons.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
Henri K take on the recent maiden flight of AG 600. the fact is China fulfill the promise to finish 3 large aircraft program back in 2006. this kind of program invariably take along time to complete. And full of twist and turn. So the impatient out there wait and don't criticize any setback
Part of the three "Large Plane" projects approved by the Chinese state in 2006 as one of the aviation industry's top priorities with the Y-20 and C919, the AG600, officially known as "Large Amphibious Air Bomber" and Maritime Rescue ", can draw 12t of water in 20 seconds and drop them on a surface of 4,000 square meters at one time. Used for rescue missions at sea, the aircraft can carry up to 50 passengers.
The new Chinese seaplane AG600 finally flies away
BY
17 months after of China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd. (CAIGA) in Zhuhai, the new Chinese AG600 floatplane flew away yesterday, on Christmas Eve, at Zhuhai-Jinwan Airport in southern China.
The aircraft-boat with a maximum mass of 53.5 tons took off around 9:39 am Beijing time under the watch of millions of Chinese viewers., The highly anticipated event since the beginning of the year was broadcast live on the national CCTV channel.
This first flight finally lasted 64 minutes, a little over an hour, as planned. The aircraft registered B-002A, with a crew of four on board, was accompanied throughout its flight by a light transport aircraft Y-12 equipped with optronic tracking equipment.
Hundreds of CAIGA personnel welcomed on the ground the return of this first AG600 which landed at 10:43 am in the morning. The plane then crossed a curtain of water, created by two fire lances placed on both sides of the runway, which symbolizes the welcome and welcome (接风 洗尘) according to Chinese tradition.
The aircraft accompanying the first "ground" flight of the AG600 (Photo: Richard Yip)
The first takeoff of AG600 in Zhuhai (Photo: Richard Yip)
It should be noted that as a security measure, the Chinese authorities decided to close the airspace at 3,600 meters above sea level in a zone of 5,067 km² southwest of Zhuhai, a measure that had not been company during the first flight of the other two Chinese "big planes", the Y-20 and the C919 . We also learn that the Chinese seaplane flew always below 3000 meters of ground for its first flight.
A3830 / 17
Q) ZGZU / QRTLP / IV / BO / W / 000/118 / 2155N11310E030
A) ZGZU B) 1712240120 C) 1712240300
E) TOE FLY ACTIVITY, ALL ACFT SHALL BE FORBIDDEN TO FLY INTO THE
AREA BOUNDED BY:
N221323E1132755 -N222415E1131520-N215615E1123850-N212730E1130620-N215906E1133312-N221323E1132755
BACK TO START, ALT: BELOW 3,600M (QNE).
F) SFC G) 3,600M AMSL
The area reserved for the first flight of the Chinese seaplane AG600 (Image: East Pendulum)
If the China State Council, the main administrative civilian body of China, has sent its congratulations to the AVIC group in an official statement after the announcement of the success of this first flight of AG600, it is still necessary recall that the Chinese amphibious aircraft had initially planned to make its first flight "ground" before the end of 2016. But the reality of the field and a series of technical difficulties that ensued thereafter was different.
Indeed, the date of the inaugural flight is postponed for the first time at the end of March 2017, and had yet given the first positive signs to that. But finally took place until April 29, 2017, and another test of low speed running in late May, before the radio silence for a few months.
It is at the end of July that news about the situation of the AG600 is new. In an article published on CAIGA's Weixin account on July 31, we learn that the deputy general manager of CAIGA's parent company, AVIC, went to Zhuhai with a team of experts to monitor the progress of the program. He asked the development team to analyze the "root causes" of the problems in progress and highlighted "the lack of experience (CAIGA) in tests and trials".
Among the experts who accompanied this visit was the Chief Scientist of Institute 601, another AVIC design office specializing in the design of transport and bomber aircraft. In particular, he exchanged with CAIGA's technical managers on topics such as "general aerodynamic configuration, hydraulic systems and structural stress".
In another article published a little later, it was said that some leaders of the Chinese aircraft manufacturer have asked CAIGA to do the necessary so that "the test pilots regain confidence in this aircraft".
After several months of investigation and work, a meeting led by five academicians, a senior official of the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information as well as senior officials of the AVIC group and experts from academia, military and Air Authorities took place from December 1 to 3, during which . The committee finally approved the quality of the aircraft and gave its approval for the first flight.
It should be noted that the AG600 has achieved only half of its true "maiden flight" since being a seaplane, it will also be necessary for it to make its first flight on the water for it to be complete.
Part of the three "Large Plane" projects approved by the Chinese state in 2006 as one of the aviation industry's top priorities with the Y-20 and C919, the AG600, officially known as "Large Amphibious Air Bomber" and Maritime Rescue ", can draw 12t of water in 20 seconds and drop them on a surface of 4,000 square meters at one time. Used for rescue missions at sea, the aircraft can carry up to 50 passengers.
The new Chinese seaplane AG600 finally flies away
BY
17 months after of China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd. (CAIGA) in Zhuhai, the new Chinese AG600 floatplane flew away yesterday, on Christmas Eve, at Zhuhai-Jinwan Airport in southern China.
The aircraft-boat with a maximum mass of 53.5 tons took off around 9:39 am Beijing time under the watch of millions of Chinese viewers., The highly anticipated event since the beginning of the year was broadcast live on the national CCTV channel.
This first flight finally lasted 64 minutes, a little over an hour, as planned. The aircraft registered B-002A, with a crew of four on board, was accompanied throughout its flight by a light transport aircraft Y-12 equipped with optronic tracking equipment.
Hundreds of CAIGA personnel welcomed on the ground the return of this first AG600 which landed at 10:43 am in the morning. The plane then crossed a curtain of water, created by two fire lances placed on both sides of the runway, which symbolizes the welcome and welcome (接风 洗尘) according to Chinese tradition.
The aircraft accompanying the first "ground" flight of the AG600 (Photo: Richard Yip)
The first takeoff of AG600 in Zhuhai (Photo: Richard Yip)
A3830 / 17
Q) ZGZU / QRTLP / IV / BO / W / 000/118 / 2155N11310E030
A) ZGZU B) 1712240120 C) 1712240300
E) TOE FLY ACTIVITY, ALL ACFT SHALL BE FORBIDDEN TO FLY INTO THE
AREA BOUNDED BY:
N221323E1132755 -N222415E1131520-N215615E1123850-N212730E1130620-N215906E1133312-N221323E1132755
BACK TO START, ALT: BELOW 3,600M (QNE).
F) SFC G) 3,600M AMSL
The area reserved for the first flight of the Chinese seaplane AG600 (Image: East Pendulum)
If the China State Council, the main administrative civilian body of China, has sent its congratulations to the AVIC group in an official statement after the announcement of the success of this first flight of AG600, it is still necessary recall that the Chinese amphibious aircraft had initially planned to make its first flight "ground" before the end of 2016. But the reality of the field and a series of technical difficulties that ensued thereafter was different.
Indeed, the date of the inaugural flight is postponed for the first time at the end of March 2017, and had yet given the first positive signs to that. But finally took place until April 29, 2017, and another test of low speed running in late May, before the radio silence for a few months.
It is at the end of July that news about the situation of the AG600 is new. In an article published on CAIGA's Weixin account on July 31, we learn that the deputy general manager of CAIGA's parent company, AVIC, went to Zhuhai with a team of experts to monitor the progress of the program. He asked the development team to analyze the "root causes" of the problems in progress and highlighted "the lack of experience (CAIGA) in tests and trials".
Among the experts who accompanied this visit was the Chief Scientist of Institute 601, another AVIC design office specializing in the design of transport and bomber aircraft. In particular, he exchanged with CAIGA's technical managers on topics such as "general aerodynamic configuration, hydraulic systems and structural stress".
In another article published a little later, it was said that some leaders of the Chinese aircraft manufacturer have asked CAIGA to do the necessary so that "the test pilots regain confidence in this aircraft".
After several months of investigation and work, a meeting led by five academicians, a senior official of the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information as well as senior officials of the AVIC group and experts from academia, military and Air Authorities took place from December 1 to 3, during which . The committee finally approved the quality of the aircraft and gave its approval for the first flight.
It should be noted that the AG600 has achieved only half of its true "maiden flight" since being a seaplane, it will also be necessary for it to make its first flight on the water for it to be complete.
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Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
(cont)
the AG600 and the Y-20, two of the three Chinese "big plane" projects at the Zhuhai Air Show in November 2016
Part of the three "Large Plane" projects approved by the Chinese state in 2006 as one of the aviation industry's top priorities with the Y-20 and C919, the AG600, officially known as "Large Amphibious Air Bomber" and Maritime Rescue ", can draw 12t of water in 20 seconds and drop them on a surface of 4,000 square meters at one time. Used for rescue missions at sea, the aircraft can carry up to 50 passengers.
According to the AVIC group, the aircraft can be transformed to perform other types of mission, such as surveillance and protection of the marine environment, resource exploration, reef supply, maritime safety, the fight against against smuggling and the application of maritime law. The Chinese aircraft manufacturer says it wants to produce 60 copies in the next 15 years but the order book has only 17 aircraft at the moment.
If the AG600 is deployed in the South China Sea, Subi Reef for example, its range will allow it to patrol and act extensively throughout the region. But the Chinese navy does not seem to have placed an order so far.
AG600 at the reef of Subi
the AG600 and the Y-20, two of the three Chinese "big plane" projects at the Zhuhai Air Show in November 2016
Part of the three "Large Plane" projects approved by the Chinese state in 2006 as one of the aviation industry's top priorities with the Y-20 and C919, the AG600, officially known as "Large Amphibious Air Bomber" and Maritime Rescue ", can draw 12t of water in 20 seconds and drop them on a surface of 4,000 square meters at one time. Used for rescue missions at sea, the aircraft can carry up to 50 passengers.
According to the AVIC group, the aircraft can be transformed to perform other types of mission, such as surveillance and protection of the marine environment, resource exploration, reef supply, maritime safety, the fight against against smuggling and the application of maritime law. The Chinese aircraft manufacturer says it wants to produce 60 copies in the next 15 years but the order book has only 17 aircraft at the moment.
If the AG600 is deployed in the South China Sea, Subi Reef for example, its range will allow it to patrol and act extensively throughout the region. But the Chinese navy does not seem to have placed an order so far.
AG600 at the reef of Subi
D
Deleted member 13312
Guest
Well it took them 7 months longer than expected (first flight was projected in May), but they finally did it. A fleet of AG600s will be incalculably valuable for maritime operations both civilian and military. Spin off variants might included MPA/ASW and special forces insertion.
It's a old technology, but old does not mean it is irrelevant.
And I think the value of "million" in the height column is clearly a error of translation lol.
It's a old technology, but old does not mean it is irrelevant.
And I think the value of "million" in the height column is clearly a error of translation lol.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
Comparison to Japanese ShinMaywa US 2. A bit bigger has more or less the same range, Heavier MTOW can carry more passenger.same cruising speed, same range, higher ceiling limit. Taller
Shin Maywa US2
General characteristics
General characteristics
Shin Maywa US2
General characteristics
- Crew: 11
- Capacity: 20 passengers or 12 stretchers
- Length: 33.46 m (109 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 33.15 m (108 ft 9 in)
- Height: 9.8 m (32 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 135.8 m2 (1,462 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 25,630 kg (56,504 lb)
- Gross weight: 43,000 kg (94,799 lb) water take-off
- Max takeoff weight: 47,700 kg (105,160 lb) land take-off
- Powerplant: 4 × turboprop, 3,424 kW (4,592 hp) each
- Powerplant: 1 × turboshaft compressor, 1,017 kW (1,364 hp)
- Propellers: 6-bladed R414
- Maximum speed: 560 km/h (348 mph; 302 kn)
- Cruise speed: 480 km/h (298 mph; 259 kn) at 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
- Range: 4,700 km (2,920 mi; 2,538 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 7,195 m (23,606 ft)
- Takeoff distance on ground at MTOW: 490 m (1,610 ft)
- Landing distance on ground at MTOW: 1,500 m (4,900 ft)
- Takeoff distance on water at Loaded weight: 280 m (920 ft)
- Landing distance on water at Loaded weight: 330 m (1,080 ft)
General characteristics
- Capacity: 50 passengers
- Length: 36.9 m (121 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 38.8 m (127 ft 4 in)
- Height: 12.1 m (39 ft 8 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 53,500 kg (117,947 lb)
- Powerplant: 4 × , 3,805 kW (5,103 hp) each
- Propellers: 6-bladed
- Maximum speed: 570 km/h (354 mph; 308 kn)
- Range: 5,500 km (3,418 mi; 2,970 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 10,500 m (34,400 ft)
Problem is, it's quite a forgotten technology and skill.
A very difficult one to master on top of that.
Most prominent seaplane producers went out of business in late 50s to 60ies, and survivors are but a shadow of former glory.
Be it Shinmeywa or Beriev.
Others haven't produced any new models in decades.
For Chinese designers it's essentially "learn on your own" type of task by now.
Frankly speaking, though, while I like flying boats and amphibs, ag600 seems to be strange to me. It's conventional to the point I don't understand where is this point to bother to build it to begin with.
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