Trial production of China-made TA600 aircraft, the world's largest amphibious aircraft, has started in China following completion of the design process, according to China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. Ltd's Zhuhai branch on Monday.

It is expected to take off on its maiden flight in late 2015.

The aircraft, with a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 tons and a maximum range of more than 5,000 kilometers, could be used for firefighting and air-sea rescue. It has a cruising speed of 480 kilometers per hour.

China began developing the aircraft in Zhuhai in June 2009.

The article is edited and translated from《全球最大水陆两栖飞机有望明年底首飞》, source: sciencenet.cn, author:Zhu Hanbin