Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic) recently began flight-testing its new AC312e light-medium twin helicopter. This new model is derived from the previous “A” model, itself a descendant of the Harbin Z-9, which was based on the Airbus Helicopters AS365 and manufactured in China under license since the early 1980s and in service since the early 1990s. A substantially upgraded model featuring Arriel 2C engines was introduced in 2002. Cumulatively, Avic has produced more than 200 Z-9s.

 


According to Avic, the 312e will feature improved high/hot performance thanks to a pair of Safran Helicopter Engine Arriel 2E engines (1,000 shp each) and Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics to support growth for synthetic vision, helicopter Taws and EFB. Options for the platform also include the RTA-4112 MultiScan weather radar and the TTR-4100 Tcas II traffic surveillance system.

 


The 312e will be able to carry nine passengers, have a maximum cruise speed of 165 knots, a maximum takeoff weight of 9,921 pounds/4,500 kg and a service ceiling of 19,685 feet. Certification is expected sometime next year.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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