China's heavy-lift helicopter AC313 passes performance test

BEIJING: China's AC313, the heavy-lift helicopter for civilian purposes, has cleared the performance authentication test by aviation experts, the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics said today.

The authentication committee, led by two Chinese academicians, believed the AC313's technology as well as its performance on the plateau have reached an advanced international level, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The helicopter was developed and manufactured by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China in Jingdezhen City, east China's Jiangxi Province.


The AC313 had its maiden flight in Jingdezhen in March 2010. It completed two trial flights on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in 2010 and 2011. Mass production of the aircraft began in 2012.

The aircraft is suitable for emergency rescue operations, forest fire response, transportation, offshore operations, medical aid, sightseeing and business trips, the report said.