Xian Aircraft has made some further changes to the design of its newest model of MA60 turboprop and has decided to name it the MA600.
An official in Xian Aircraft’s headquarters in Yanliang town, China says the first MA600 is in the final assembly stage and is due to roll out of the factory in time for first flight at the end of this year.
Xian Aircraft told flightglobal.com's sister premium news source ATI in late 2006 it was working on an updated version of the MA60 that would have a new avionics system and a passenger door that incorporates stairs rather than have stairs as a separate attachment.
It was originally planning to have the new model completed in time for first delivery to customers in 2008’s first half but the official ATI spoke to today says it needs time to get Chinese certification for the new model.
This is because there are some major changes to the aircraft, says the official, adding that Xian Aircraft has made the main passenger door towards the front of the aircraft whereas on the MA60 the main passenger door is near the rear.
The MA600 will also be lighter than the MA60, says the official. But the official was unable to specify what the weight saving will be or say how it achieved the weight savings.
Other changes Xian Aircraft has made – which ATI reported on last year – include having Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line 21 avionics system. The MA60 has an earlier avionics system, Pro Line 2.
Xian Aircraft has also completed the first ship-set of passenger doors incorporating stairs, says the official.
Industry sources in China say one reason Xian Aircraft is naming the newer model the MA600 is to clearly differentiate it from the MA60.
The name MA600 is also more in keeping with the MA700, a completely new turboprop aircraft that Xian Aircraft is developing.
The MA700 will make greater use of composite materials and Xian Aircraft plans to have it completed in time for first flight in 2013 or 2014.
Source: flightglobal.com's sister premium news site Air Transport Intelligence news
Source: FlightGlobal.com
