China's new turboprop aircraft, the MA600, an enhanced version of the MA60, made a successful first flight at Xi'an Yanliang on Oct. 9.

The MA600 was designed to optimize the MA60's structure and avionics system as well as improve its cabin interior. It entered production in 2005 and rolled out on Jun. 29 this year. To date, the 50/60-seat MA60 has received 136 orders from Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Xi'an Aircraft Industry Co., manufacturer of the MA600, noted that the successful test flight is "an important milestone" in Chinese domestic aircraft production.

MD Meng Xiangkai revealed that the aircraft is expected to obtain its airworthiness certificate and enter service in the second half of 2009, with the first delivery to the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) in Sichuan Province. Batch delivery will start in 2010.