One of China's major aircraft manufacturers Shenyang Aircraft Industry Company (SAIC) will test fly a model plane from its assembly line within this year in cooperation with American Cessna Aircraft Company.

It was revealed on Monday by the SAIC which is affiliated to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country's largest aircraft maker.

The plane, L162 "Sky Catcher", is a light sport aircraft co-developed by Cessna and the SAIC for flying training and private recreation.

The L162 has two seats and a normal cruising range of 722 kilometers, and costs about US$111,500.

The plane is under assembling and the manufacturer so far has received 1,100 orders worldwide, according to Mike Shih, Cessna's chief director in China.

The SAIC and Cessna signed a cooperation contract in 2007, according to which the SAIC is responsible for manufacturing, assembling and test flying the Cessna-designed L162.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2009)