China's AC313A large civil helicopter starts cold-weather flight tests

China's independently-developed AC313A large civil helicopter has embarked on its cold-weather flight tests, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The AC313A has recently conducted multiple subjects during its first cold-weather flight test mission at an airport in Mohe, China's northernmost city, said the AVIC, the country's leading aircraft maker. The subjects of the test flight includes airspeed, rotor speed, environmental control system, hovering performance, level flight and climb performance and engine starting test.

It marked that the AC313A has entered a new phase by carrying out flight tests under frigid environments for both further improvement and airworthiness certification targets of this new helicopter model, the developer added.

The AVIC-developed AC313A is a 13-tonne-class large multi-purpose civil helicopter with a single main rotor and tail rotor. It can carry up to 28 people on board and load up to 5 tonnes of water for firefighting missions. It took to the skies for its maiden flight on May 17, 2022.

This round of cold-weather flight tests aim to verify the AC313A's flight performance, as well as the performance of its major systems and engines in cold environments. This new helicopter is also installed with a health and usage monitoring system (HUMS), as well as rotor ice protection and de-icing facilities to enhance its performance and safety.

It can operate in complicated terrains and weather conditions, such as a high plateau and high and low temperatures.

The AC313A can be installed with various facilities for emergency rescue missions. This allows it to carry out missions across the country such as supply delivery, forest and urban firefighting, lifting large equipment, disaster prevention and relief, medical rescue, law enforcement, maritime rescue and search, and transport for offshore oil platforms,

The most recent iteration of the AC313 helicopter series, the AC313A is a major aerial vehicle specially developed for emergency air rescue missions in all-terrain and all-weather environments.

(With input from Xinhua)