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

Safran Helicopter Engines has received EASA engine type certification for its Arriel 2H engine, installed in the Avicopter AC312E. This Arriel variant was selected in 2015 to power the helicopter developed by Avic Harbin Aircraft Industry Group, a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China. Developed from the Arriel 2+, the 2H has a takeoff power rating of 986 shp. The AC312E made its&nbsp;first&nbsp;flight in July 2016 and is slated for certification later this year.

 


The AC312E is a light-medium twin 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.

 


According to Avic, the 312E will feature improved high/hot performance and Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics to support growth for synthetic vision, helicopter Taws, and electronic flight bag. Other options for the platform include the RTA-4112 MultiScan weather radar and the TTR-4100 TCAS 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, and a service ceiling of 19,685 feet.

 


Avic has produced more than 200 Z-9s.&nbsp;

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

Safran Arriel 2H Engine Certified 

The engine is installed In the new Avicopter AC312E.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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