World’s largest amphibious aircraft in production, China’s indigenous AG600, , took to the skies on 24 December for its maiden flight from the southern city of Zhuhai
-This aircraft is codenamed Kunlong. With a wingspan of 38.8 metres (127ft) and powered by four turboprop engines, the aircraft is capable of carrying 50 people and can stay airborne for 12 hours.
-According to Chinese state media, the amphibious aircraft has military applications but will be used for firefighting and marine rescue.
-Although it is about the size of a Boeing 737, yet the AG600 is considerably smaller than the billionaire Howard Hughes’ flying boat, known as the Spruce Goose, which had a wingspan of 97 metres and a length of 67 metres and made only one brief flight, in 1947
