Regional plane to take maiden flight

China’s MA700, a high-speed turboprop aircraft designed for regional routes, is expected to take its maiden flight this year, according to its developer, Stateowned Aviation Industry Corp of China. The third model in the MA family, following the MA60 and MA600, it is designed to be economically efficient and adaptable to various airport conditions and routes, AVIC said. The MA700 is expected to be certified by aviation authorities by 2021, it said. Eleven customers at home and abroad have expressed interest in ordering 185 MA700s, the company said.