China conducts test-flight of Snow Eagle 601
China has conducted the first test flight of its new aircraft for polar explorations on the southern continent of Antarctica.
Scientists tested the flight characteristics of the fixed-wing aircraft, Snow Eagle 601 under the climatic conditions of Antarctica. They also tested the performance of the aircraft's ice radar, gravimeter and magnetometer. Fixed-wing aircraft are designed for fast transport and emergency rescues.
The Snow Eagle 601 is a US-made BT-67 model that can fly at temperatures as low as minus-50 degrees Celsius. The aircraft is also used in polar explorations by other countries such as Germany, South Africa, Canada and the United States.