China’s air rescue system gets boost with locally built helicopter

ISTANBUL

In a boost for the country’s air emergency rescue system, China on Tuesday successfully conducted the maiden flight of a domestically made utility helicopter.

The 13-ton large utility civil helicopter, AC313A, made its first flight at an airport in Jingdezhen, a city in the eastern Jiangxi province, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The AVIC, the country’s leading aircraft maker, hailed the flight as “a major step forward in the development of China’s air emergency rescue system.”

The AC313A will now enter the flight test phase, the AVIC said.

The new chopper is expected to get certification during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the manufacturer said, following which it will enter the market to serve customers.

“AC313A is a major aerial vehicle model which is specially developed to meet the country’s demands from air rescue missions. It is expected to help assist the country in strengthening the national air emergency rescue system and capabilities,” said the AVIC.