BEIJING: China’s largest-ever civil helicopter on Thursday received its certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the country’s civil aviation authority, reported Xinhua news agency.The move marks the official approval for the 13-tonne AC313, Asia’s largest helicopter, to enter the market, said the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), which developed and manufactured the helicopter.
The aircraft focuses on designs of maintainability, life reliability, indemnification and life cycle efficiency, and meets international safety standards, underlining China’s abilities in the research and development (R&D) of large helicopters.
After four years of R&D, the AC313 is also world’s first civil helicopter to receive an A-category airworthiness certificate at an altitude of 4,500 meters, the AVIC said.
The aircraft can be deployed for emergency rescue operations, forest fire prevention, transport, offshore operations, medical aid, sightseeing and business trips, the AVIC said.
The AC313 made two trial flights to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in 2010 and 2011, respectively, and set a record of soaring to an altitude of 8,500 meters, making it the first domestic aircraft able to fly in the highlands, the AVIC added.
The state-owned aircraft maker produces civil helicopters weighing from one to 13 tonnes.
Its one-tonne AC310 helicopter, the country’s first ultra-light civil helicopter, made its debut at the first China Helicopter Exposition held last September, according to the AVIC. – Bernama