Bertling says Eurocopter plans to open a pilot training facility in China with a local partner. Both sides are currently in the final assessment of the project and a decision is expected to be made by January.

"The devastating (May 12) earthquake in Sichuan earlier this year showed the urgent need for developing general aviation, which plays a very important role in rescue," says Wu Tongshui, president of Civil Aviation University of China. "China needs a comprehensive and systematic planning for the industry."

The quake toppled many buildings, blocked roads, destroyed railways and damaged bridges. Helicopters demonstrated their unique advantage in the disaster-relief efforts, which were unmatched by any other means of transportation.

During the disaster relief the EC225 helicopters delivered to the Chinese Ministry of Transport (MOT) at end of 2007 and the Super Puma AS332 helicopters from Government Flying Service (GFS) in Hong Kong, rescued more than 100 people who were trapped in mountainous areas, steep and deep valleys.

Since the 1960s, the European helicopter maker has sold more than 120 helicopters in China. It controls more than 40 percent of the Chinese market and achieved sales of over US$100 million in the country last year, while its global turnover reached 4.17 billion euros.

A major market for Eurocopter is the strong and dynamic oil and gas market in China. COHC will use the 10 medium twin-engine EC155 helicopters to raise its ability of offshore oil service provision as the country's offshore oil sector is undergoing a rapid growth. Deliveries will start from the end of 2009. COHC already has a fleet of 22 Eurocopter helicopters. About 30 percent of the EC155 fleet in the world today is used for offshore transport missions.

Eurocopter is also promoting its helicopters for homeland security. There is a rising demand from the Chinese police force and they have placed orders to help their daily operations and equip anti-terrorist units and traffic control units. The Shanghai Public Security Bureau ordered two light twin-engine EC135s and one EC155 in 2007. The city government plans to establish a police helicopter squad.

China is more than a market to Eurocopter.

The France-based company plans to more than triple the value of components and parts sourced from China, reaching a value of US$65 million per year, by 2013, Bertling says.

Besides Eurocopter, China also supplies components to other helicopter makers such as Sikorsky Aircraft Corp and Bell Helicopter.

Eurocopter and then AVIC II co-developed the 1.7-ton EC120 in 1992, in which the Chinese company had a 24 percent share. About 600 units have been sold worldwide.

AVIC I and AVIC II, China's two leading aviation manufacturers, were recently merged to create AVIC as the government tries to consolidate the nation's aircraft development and manufacturing capabilities.

AVIC and Eurocopter are now jointly developing the six-ton EC175, also called Z15 in China. It is designed for civilian use and will fill the gap in the current helicopter range in the two companies with models between five and 10 tons.

The project is equally shared between AVIC and Eurocopter in both design and production. There will be two assembly lines, one in Harbin, capital city of China's Heilongjiang province, and the other in Marignane, France. The helicopter is scheduled to make its first flight in 2009.

Eurocopter, responsible for the sales of EC175 abroad, has received 150 orders for the helicopter from the Untied States, New Zealand, Russia and the United Kingdom, Bertling says.

The Chinese government has made the aviation industry, including the manufacturing of helicopters, a priority for development during the 11th Five-Year Plan.

(China Daily November 17, 2008)