Helicopter market propelled upward

AVIC, producers of the AC313 and AC311, manufactures a series of civil helicopters, ranging from one-ton and two-ton light models to middle-sized helicopters weighing four and seven tons and the large-sized 13 tons.

The company, a leading Chinese aircraft manufacturer, also cooperates with foreign manufacturers on helicopter research and development.

The EC175, a six-ton helicopter co-developed by AVIC and Eurocopter, has already received an airworthiness certificate in China.

It is a 50-50 percent venture between AVIC and Eurocopter.

AVIC first partnered with Sikorsky in the 1990s, helping to develop the US company's S-92 helicopter.

Foreign helicopter manufacturers also showed their approval of China's helicopter industry by bringing the latter's manufacturers into their supply chain.

In 2006, Sikorsky signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AVIC on selecting Changhe Aircraft Industry Corp, a subsidiary of AVIC, to supply Schweizer helicopter airframe components and S-76 helicopter airframes to Sikorsky.

By 2011, a total of 163 S-92 Tail Rotor Pylon, 60 Schweizer S-300 airframes and five S-76 airframes had been delivered to Sikorsky.

In 2013, Sikorsky is expected to sign a contract with AVIC for the supply of S-76D parts, a new Sikorsky product expected to go on sale in 2014.

At the same time, Chinese manufacturers are expected to increase their production as a result of an expected market boom because the Chinese government plans to open up low-altitude airspace for individuals in China.

"The domestic manufacturers still do not have enough production capacity to meet our demand," said Rong Weiguo, deputy general manager of the Zhuhai Helicopter Branch of China Southern Airlines Co.

wangwen@chinadaily.com.cn