AC352 helicopter starts sub-plateau flight tests

BEIJING - The AC352 mid-sized utility helicopter has entered the phase of sub-plateau flight tests, according to the China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC).

The AC352 is now conducting the flight test at an airport in Liupanshui, Southwest China's Guizhou province, at an elevation of 1,975 meters, said the AVIC.

During this flight test phase totaling around 25 flight hours, the AC352 will test multiple subjects on their high-altitude performance in the sub-plateau region.

The test subjects include performance in fire fighting, taking-off and landing, near-ground flight and hovering, among others.

Meanwhile, the AC352 will receive flight tests by the civil aviation authorities, the AVIC said.

After completing this round of sub-plateau flight tests, the helicopter will head to flight tests on its performance above plain. Then, it will also go through follow-up certification flight tests by the civil aviation authorities. These are key to the airworthiness certification of the new helicopter model.

Developed by AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry, the AC352 is a mid-sized twin-engine utility helicopter. It can carry up to 16 passengers with a 7.5-tonne maximum take-off weight and a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers.

The AC352 successfully conducted its maiden flight on Dec 20, 2016, in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

The new helicopter model started its flight-test journey for its airworthiness certification at the end of 2019.

By now, the AC352 has completed flight tests on engine installation loss, high-temperature performance, and low-temperature performance in diverse regions across the country, the AVIC said.