China’s first polar airplane conducts successful trial flight

World Today

(Xinhua) — Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2015 shows China’s first polar airplane “Snow Eagle 601” having a trial flight at the Zhongshan Station, a Chinese scientific research base in Antarctica. (Xinhua/Zhu Jichai)

China has successfully conducted the trial flight of its first polar fixed-wing aircraft. The “Xueying”, or Snow Eagle in English, conducted the test Monday. 

The scientists tested the flight characteristics of the fixed-wing aircraft, including the ice radar, the gravimeter and magnetometer, under the climatic conditions of Antarctica. 

(Xinhua) -- Researchers board China's first polar airplane "Snow Eagle 601" for a trial flight at the Zhongshan Station, a Chinese scientific research base in Antarctica, Dec. 7, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhu Jichai)

(Xinhua) — Researchers board China’s first polar airplane “Snow Eagle 601” for a trial flight at the Zhongshan Station, a Chinese scientific research base in Antarctica, Dec. 7, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhu Jichai)

The “Xueying”  took off on Nov. 15 from Canada. Eight Days later, it arrived at the British research station “Rothera”.

On Nov. 26, the “Xueying”arrived at the South Pole. Carrying three crew members, the aircraft finally arrived at Chinese research station “Zhongshan” Monday, after a journey of seven hours and 46 minutes from the South Pole.

Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2015 shows China's first polar airplane "Snow Eagle 601" having a trial flight at the Zhongshan Station, a Chinese scientific research base in Antarctica. (Xinhua/Zhu Jichai)

Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2015 shows China’s first polar airplane “Snow Eagle 601” having a trial flight at the Zhongshan Station, a Chinese scientific research base in Antarctica. (Xinhua/Zhu Jichai)

The research station Zhongshan serves as a base for testing. The first mission of“Xueying” includes flights to another two Chinese research stations “Kunlun” and”Taishan” and for the Australian Station “Casey”. It will also complete the scientific study of the Princess Elizabeth Land near the “Taishan” station.

Researchers pose for photos with China's first polar airplane "Snow Eagle 601" after a successful trial flight at the Zhongshan Station, a Chinese scientific research base in Antarctica, Dec. 7, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhu Jichai)

Researchers pose for photos with China’s first polar airplane “Snow Eagle 601” after a successful trial flight at the Zhongshan Station, a Chinese scientific research base in Antarctica, Dec. 7, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhu Jichai)

Fixed-wing aircraft are designed for fast transport and emergency rescue. They are therefore eminently suitable for research purposes. So far, only the U.S., Germany and U.K. have multi-functional fixed-wing aircraft in Antarctica. 

This story compiled information from Xinhua and People’s Daily.