The AG600, the world's largest amphibian aircraft, has successfully passed engine tests and is expected to make its maiden flight in the first half of 2017, according to China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. Ltd. on February 14.

The AG600 rolled off a production line in the southern city of Zhuhai last July, and has since undergone a series of rigorous tests.

Between February 11 and 13, all four of its engines performed excellently in tests, according to the company.

The 37-meter-long AG600, with a wingspan of 38.8 meters, is by far the world's largest amphibian aircraft, about the size of a Boeing 737. It is destined to support emergency response efforts.

The aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tons and can collect 12 tons of water in 20 seconds.

It is the result of nearly seven years of work by a group of 70 aircraft component manufacturers and research teams with over 150 institutes from 20 provinces and municipalities in China, and over 90 percent of the products used on the plane were made in China.

It has received 17 intent orders so far.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2017)