Water aircraft lands in 2013

The first Chinese-made large amphibious aircraft is scheduled to take off in 2013, and ready for mass production in 2015, a senior engineer for the manufacturer said.

The amphibious aircraft, about the size of an Airbus 320, will handle emergency services and military tasks that are difficult or impossible with current aircraft in China today.

Previously, China has developed large hydroplanes and small amphibious aircraft, said Chen Zhengguo, the project's chief engineer.