Domestic seaplane nearing takeoff

A major part of China's first domestically developed seaplane rolled off the assembly line on Tuesday in Chengdu, Sichuan province, indicating the world's largest amphibious aircraft is nearing its completion.

The 9.5-meter-long front fuselage is manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and will be delivered to China Aviation Industry General Aircraft in Guangdong's Zhuhai for the AG-600's final assembly, which is planned to start around May, said Huang Lingcai, chief designer of the aircraft at the Zhuhai company.

The seaplane's debut flight will take place in the first half of 2016, he added.