China continues its big push into the aviation industry, this time with its first domestically made heavy-lift civilian helicopter.
The Chinese government has approved the new AC313, which can carry as many as 27 passengers and has a maximum take-off weight of just over 30,000 pounds, for commercial use. The helicopter, built by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, is an example of a colossal push into the aviation sector that includes everything from buying aviation firms in the United States to designing a regional airliner to compete with Boeing and Airbus.
Although the AC313 is Chinese-designed and built, it is an evolution of a French helicopter the Chinese first copied in the 1970s. The Chinese bought several SA 321 Super Frelons from France and in subsequent years produced helicopters of similar size and capability. The AC313 is a larger version of those same helicopters, with a range of more than 550 miles and the ability to fly at almost 28,000 feet.
AVIC is at the front of China’s aviation push. The company makes everything from fighter jets to small turbine-powered propeller airliners. Over the past year the Chinese company has showed interest in finding Western partners to build business jets.
Three different aircraft manufacturers — Bombardier, Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft — have responded to a request for partnership from AVIC, according to Aviation Week. Last year AVIC purchased the Minnesota-based Cirrus aircraft. Cirrus makes small, single engine general aviation aircraft and is developing a small business jet.
The Chinese aircraft maker is part of a large government-owned aerospace consortium and is nearing delivery of its own 80-100 seat commercial jet. The Comac ARJ21 bears a strong resemblance to the McDonnell Douglas MD-90, partly because the airplane was built using tools from MD-90s assembled under a license. The wing is one of the only major differences in the airframe.
The AC313 helicopter made its first flight in 2010 and is designed for a wide range of uses, according to AVIC. The first customer plans to lease the first five choppers off of the assembly line and will use them for flying cargo and passengers, as well as firefighting. The heavy-lift helicopter is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney PT6 engines made in Canada.
The size and capabilities of the helicopter would also make it an attractive for use in search and rescue as well as the oil industry.
AVIC says it plans to pursue certification of the AC313 in the United States and Europe.
Photo: The AC313 helicopter during a test flight in Jingdezhen city, in east China’s Jiangxi province. Associated Press.
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