Aircraft on course for service after successful test flight, designer says

The country's first jumbo airfreighter is set for take-off into official service, its chief designer said weeks after its successful maiden test flight.

When fitted with Chinese-designed and manufactured engines, the Yun-20, or Transport-20, will have a greater take-off weight, longer fuselage and carry more cargo, said Tang Changhong, who has led the design team of the jumbo aircraft since 2007.