Sky's the limit for Z-15, helicopter maker says

China is nearing completion on its most advanced helicopter to date and will soon send the prototype up on its maiden flight, a national legislator said.

"The development of the 6-ton-class Z-15 is progressing smoothly. Our designers and engineers are completing the project according to schedule," Yu Feng, deputy to the National People's Congress and deputy general manager of Avicopter, China's only helicopter manufacturer, told China Daily on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the country's top legislature.

"We have submitted our application to the airworthiness certification authority to let it test our aircraft," Yu said. "Although the timetable for the first test flight has yet to be decided, I can tell you it will be soon."