The Y-20, China's home-grown heavy transport aircraft, officially entered military service on Wednesday in the southwestern province of Sichuan. The versatile plane has a maximum takeoff weight of around 200 tonnes, and is ideal for carrying cargo and personnel over long distances. Describing the flight as a historical turning point, Wang Mingzhi, professor with the Air Force Command College, said the Y-20 is the first alternative for the Chinese Air Force to buying transport planes from abroad.