Chinese state-owned manufacturer Avicopter this week received the type certificate for its AC311 light utility helicopter, expanding the AVIC subsidiary’s growing product portfolio.
The AC311 is a single-engine helicopter that is reminiscent of the Eurocopter AS350. It has an mtow of 4,850 pounds, can carry six people and is offered with a choice of Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 or the WZ8D engine, a local license version of the Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A.
The manufacturer this week also reported receiving orders in China for 60 of the helicopters on the day its certification was granted. The first AC311 is scheduled for delivery by the end of this year to “a private-owned aviation company based in Beijing that operates business flights.” No further details were provided.
Besides the AC311, Avicopter also builds the AC313, a 28-passenger heavy-lift helicopter based heavily on the out-of-production Aerospatiale SA321 Super Frelon. The company is also developing the AC310, a piston-powered two seater that appears similar to the Schweizer 300.
Avicopter is a joint venture between AVIC and the Tainjin Municipal Government.
