A Chinese-designed helicopter, the Z11-MB1, had a successful first flight on March 8 at Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province.
The success indicated that the helicopter, an improved model of Z11 helicopter, was expected to take a significant share of the domestic civil aviation and international markets, said experts.
Information from manufacturers shows that the helicopter is equipped with an engine provided by Turbomeca Co., Ltd, of France, and can reach a maximum height of 6,000 meters, compared with the original model's 4,500 meters.
It has an integrated display and monitor system, short wave and ultra short wave radio, GPS navigation system and intercom. It can be used for a variety of purposes such as medical relief, patrolling and searching, and transportation.
The Z11-MB1, developed by the Changhe Aircraft Industries Group Ltd, and the China Helicopter Design Institute, is particularly suitable for work in hilly areas and atrocious weather conditions, such as in some regions in west China.
A Chinese-made and designed model, the Z11 helicopter was granted a production warrant for civil use by the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China last year, the first of its kind.
China had approximately 90 helicopters in civil use and it would need another 200 by 2010, experts predicted.
(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2003)
