Helicopter industry readies to take off in China

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By Lu Haoting (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-12 08:01

"We also anticipate that newcomers to the helicopter world, the private users, will need more support. We need to be prepared to provide the newcomers turnkey solutions in terms of pilots, engineers, maintenance, spare parts and technical support," Boulnois said.

Eurocopter plans to set up pilot training facilities with modern simulators in China to cater to the country's growing demand for helicopter pilots, he said.

The European helicopter manufacturer has sold more than 150 helicopters to China since the 1960s. It controls about 40 percent of China's civil and para-public helicopter market and achieved sales of $8.77 million in China last year. It has facilities in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Expanding operations

Boulnois said Eurocopter is considering establishing a presence in Tianjin in the near future.

Avicopter announced plans earlier this year to develop the northern port city as the headquarters of its helicopter business.

Avicopter's existing production facilities in Harbin (Heilongjiang province), in Jingdezhen (Jiangxi province) and Baoding (Hebei province) will remain unchanged. The Tianjin headquarters will focus on producing light helicopters for civilian use and host research and development, sales and service centers.

"We are talking with Avicopter to see how we can participate in the development of Tianjin. We need to be close to where our best friend is," Boulnois said.

Eurocopter's sister company, Airbus, a commercial aircraft producer, has built an A320 aircraft final assembly line in Tianjin. Both of the two companies are part of European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co (EADS).

"The synergies with what already exists through Airbus or EADS in Tianjin will also help us develop projects in the city," Boulnois said.

Eurocopter and Avicopter are now jointly developing the six-ton EC175 helicopter, also called Z15, in China.

The two companies equally share design and production responsibilities. There will be two assembly lines, one in Harbin, and the other in Marignane, France.

Avicopter delivered the first airframe structure for the EC175 prototype at the end of last year. The helicopter is expected to launch its maiden flight by the end of this year.

China also supplies components to other helicopter producers such as Sikorsky Aircraft Corp and Bell Helicopter.

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