China's first medium-sized aircraft modified for cloud seeding will go into use soon to try to increase grain yields in the Northeast, according to the regional weather bureau, which explains that the plane was flown to the city of Changchun, in Jilin province, on Dec 4, will help increase the rainfall and monitor air quality in that part of China.

The aircraft is equipped with various extra instruments and can fly higher and faster than many similar craft and can work in inclement weather, with Zhang Wei, regional weather bureau official explaining, "It will go to service after some trial flights."

Cloud-seeding aircraft at Changchun's Longjia international airport, Jilin, on Dec 4. [Photo/cma.gov.cn]

The two pilots at the controls in the cockpit. [Photo/cma.gov.cn]