China's first homemade helicopter has recently passed flight tests in east China's Jiangxi Province and southwest China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and it will be used in civil aviation.
The high-risk test-flight in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was conducted by an experienced pilot from Russia. The test showed that the helicopter reached world advanced flight level.
During previous trials, the helicopter created several records. With a flight duration of five hours at normal temperature, a flight duration of two hours at 38 degrees Celsius below zero and creating an operational temperature range between 6 degrees Centigrade and minus 43 degrees Centigrade.
It also managed 1,332 km of fault-free flight.
Manufacturing of the helicopter began in 1991 by Changhe Company in Jingdezhen of Jiangxi Province and China Helicopter Research Institute. It is able to fly 598 km at a speed of 240 km per hour.
The helicopter can be used for a number of purposes, such as coaching, reconnaissance, communication, rescue, smuggle suppression and scientific research.
(21DNN 10/08/2000)
