AVIC AC313 Medium Lift

China poised to fly AC313 helicopter
By Leithen Francis

China is preparing to fly its AC313 medium-lift helicopter for the first time in March, leading to certification in 2011, says an official at the manufacturer Avicopter, a division of China's state-owned aerospace conglomerate AVIC.

The AC313 is a 13t helicopter that "can be extended to 15t" and the external load capacity "can be 5t", says the official. China developed the AC313 on its own rather than collaborating with foreign partners.

"The avionics system [for example] was independently developed by China," says the official, who says the helicopter is designed for "passenger and cargo transport, firefighting, search and rescue, emergency medical services, oil offshore services and VIP flights". Potential customers include government, police and general aviation firms, the official adds, who says the AC313 can carry 27 passengers or 4t of cargo.

Avicopter also manufactures the H425, a 4.25t helicopter that made its first flight in December 2004. This smaller helicopter is pitched at the same type of customers as the AC313. China is putting more emphasis on helicopter development following the May 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

Avicopter is also carrying out a feasibility study with Russian Helicopters, the consortium that includes Mil, to develop a 20t-plus heavylift helicopter.

Zhi-8 (Z- is a medium transport helicopter developed from the French SA 321 Super Frelon, of which 13 examples were sold to the PLA Navy in 1977~78. At least one of these helicopters was disassembled for survey and reverse-engineering. Development of the Chinese copy of the SA 321, designated Z-8, began in 1976 at the Jingdezhen-based Changhe Aircraft Factory (now Changhe Aircraft Industry Group, CAIG). However, the Z-8 development encountered enormous technical difficulties and the project was suspended in 1979 due to financial reasons.

In 1985, Changhe resumed the Z-8 programme with its own funding, and the first prototype successfully flew in December 1985. The Z-8 entered the PLA Navy service in 1989 for trial and evaluation, but the helicopter was not certified for design finalisation until 1994. Only a small number (15~20) have been built. The helicopter was mainly deployed by the PLA Navy for transport role from land-based airfields.

Z-8A

Development of an army variant designated Z-8A began in the mid-1990s, and the helicopter was certified for design finalisation in February 1999. After two examples were delivered to the PLA Army Aviation Corps for operational test and evaluation, Changhe began the delivery of the first production batch in November 2002. Currently a small number (4~6) of the Z-8A is operated by the PLA 7th Helicopter Regiment in the Jinan Military Region.

The Z-8A is similar to the basic variant Z-8 in appearance, apart from its Army woodland camouflage colour scheme instead of the naval grey colour of the Z-8. The Z-8A also retained the nose weather radar and the side floating stabilisers on the original Z-8. The helicopter can carry 27 equipped commandos, or 39 soldiers, or 15 stretchers. If necessary, the helicopter could also carry a small-size SUV-type vehicle via its loading ramp. The helicopter is unarmed.

Z-8F

During the 2002 Zhuhai Air Show, Changhe Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) announced that it was developing a new utility variant Z-8F, which would be powered by three Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B turboshaft engines for improved performance. The helicopter made its maiden flight in August 2004.

Z-8K/KA

The PLA Air Force introduced the Z-8K as a dedicated search and rescue (SAR) helicopter in 2007. The helicopter appears to be based on the Z-8F design, featuring the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B turboshaft engine and redesigned air inlets. As well as having a hydraulic hoist fitted externally above the cabin door, the helicopter also featured an external forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor and a search light fitted underneath the cockpit. There are two variants currently in service: Z-8K with a blue-white camouflage scheme operated by the PLAAF 26th Air Division, and Z-8KA with a green colour scheme operated by the PLAAF Airborne Corps.

Z-8JA/JH

A shipborne variant designated Z-8J has recently entered service with the PLA Navy. As the original variant Z-8 did not possess the ability to take-off and land on surface vessels, the Z-8J features some modifications in its landing gears to allow shipborne operations. There are two variants currently in service: Z-8JA for shipborne transport and resupply roles, and Z-8JH for the medical evacuation role.

Design

The Z-8 is identical to the SA 321 Super Frelon in appearance, with a six-bladed main rotor mounted above centre of the fuselage. Of the three turboshaft engines, two are mounted side-by-side atop the fuselage forward of main rotor, with the third behind the main rotor. Round air intakes are located above and behind cockpit. Boat-hull type fuselage mounts stabilising floats on either side of the body, which has fixed landing gear and an upswept rear section. The landing gear of the Z-8 is larger in size compared to that of the SA 321. The nose is round with glassed-in cockpit. The tail boom tapers from the main body to the swept-back, tapered fin with a rotor on the left. The single flat is tapered and flat-mounted on the right side of the fin. The army variant Z-8A also features a large rear ramp for fast access by the troops.

Mission Equipment

The Z-8 has a hoist with winch and scoop fitted externally above the starboard side cabin door for rescue missions. For transport missions, the helicopter can carry 27 armed soldiers (maximum 39), or 15 patient litters and a medical staff, or 5,000kg cargo externally on sling.

The Z-8 lacks the ASW equipments and surface search radar found on the original SA 321, nor can it operate from the flight deck of surface vessels. A nose dome in front of the cockpit houses a Chinese indigenous navigation / weather radar.

Engines

The basic variant Z-8 has three WZ-6 (Chinese copy of Turboméca 3C III) turboshafts, each rated at 1,512hp (1,128kW). The internal fuel capacity is 3,900 litres. The improved Z-8F will be fitted with three Canada-made Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67B turboshaft engines, each rated at 1,941hp (1,448kW).

See Also

Flight crew: 2
Length: 23m
Main rotor diameter: 18.9m
Height: 6.76m
Weight (empty): 6.86t (Z-; 7.1t (Z-8F)
Weight (maximum take off): 13t
Engine: 3 x WZ-6 turboshafts, each rated at 1,512hp (Z-, or 3 x Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67B turboshaft, each rated at 1,941hp
Internal fuel: 3,900 litre
Maximum speed: 248km/h (Z-; 255km/h (Z-8F)
Service ceiling: 3,100m (Z-; 4,700m (Z-8F)
Hover ceiling (in ground effect): 1,900m (Z-; 2,800m (Z-8F)
Range: 700km (with 27 soldiers), or 500km (with 3,000kg payload)
Endurance: 4 hours
Maximum payload: 5,000kg
Typical load: 27 troops or 15 stretchers

China Aviation Industry Organization helicopter developed a new 13 tons of civilian helicopters (tentative name AC313) will be by the end of its first flight.
This is from the July 9, held in Jingdezhen, the work of AC313 airworthiness information received at the high-level cases.

AC313 is a reference platform for the original model, using the latest advanced technologies mature, according to internationally accepted standards of airworthiness, using international standards and airworthiness certification procedures for independent research and development of a new civil helicopters.

Kind, the use of advanced turboshaft engines, high-power transmission capacity of the transmission system, the ball is flexible composite rotor system, and integration of avionics systems, the use of maintenance and comfort improvements, structures, systems security, fully upgraded to meet the heat, cold and mountainous area of complex application requirements.

China Aviation Industry Corporation to vigorously push forward the Helicopter Air Industry Group "2 melt, three new, five-oriented, one trillion" development strategy, adhere to market-oriented development, the organization of industrial unit chang flying aircraft company, 602, Engine Company The system was jointly develop new types of companies, 13 tons of civilian helicopters. Participation Research Unit in accordance with "common input, a total of risks, to jointly develop, share market" principle, the positive input, meticulous organization, and strengthen co-design and in a critical break difficult to accelerate the model development process.

At present, AC313 model development has entered the prototype production phase, the test flight preparations in full swing, plans to achieve first flight in December 2009 is expected to be completed by 2010, evidence of airworthiness.

To enable the successful transition of civilian market, AC313, model development work carried out in accordance with international norms, while according to China Aviation Industry Corporation set up a leading group for evidence of airworthiness, airworthiness certification and the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration Division (TCB) the establishment of regular high-level system.

From the "reference platform, the original model, using the latest advanced technologies mature," look, AC313 is actually straight -8 (70 end of the decade the introduction of French "Super FRELON"), improved models.

Secretary for the Civil Aviation Authority airworthiness certification in China, under the leadership of the Civil Aviation Authority transferred East crack review team composed of all-round participation in kind, the airworthiness review and strive to coordinate the resolution of key technical airworthiness; China Civil Aviation Authority airworthiness certification Secretary attaches great importance to many times to the spot guidance.

After airworthiness experts and Participation Research Collective Wisdom personnel research, based on domestic and 30 minutes of transmission failure operation of oil and fuel system, anti-fall hit two key technologies of airworthiness breakthrough has been made.

Airworthiness of these two major breakthroughs in key technologies, not only marks the AC313 model development achieved a major milestone leap, but also to achieve the 2010 target to complete airworthiness evidence laid a good foundation, but also the development of China's history of civil helicopters, a major breakthrough.

July 9, AC313 model airworthiness second high-level evidence in 602 regular session convened.
China Civil Aviation Authority airworthiness certification deputy director of the Chau Hoi Suen, in the industrial helicopter flight hours party secretary Zheng and other leaders attended the meeting.
Research bearing units and the airworthiness certification systems of the type of airworthiness forensics experts on the AC313 major issues were discussed related to research on model development follow-up work plans.

AC313 as a 13-ton medium and large helicopters, with a cabin volume of large, strong delivery capability, modified to adapt to wide range of well characteristics, mainly applied to personnel / cargo transport, forest fire prevention, disaster relief, medical aid, search and rescue, offshore oil services, tourism, civil aviation flight and so on.
According to market analysis indicates that by 2020, the domestic market demand for helicopters in the tonnage level will reach 360.

Chinese state-owned helicopter-maker Avicopter has conducted the first flight of its AC313 helicopter, the largest the country has developed.

This first flight of the 13.8t helicopter took place at Jingdezhen in eastern China's Jiangxi province.

The AC313, which can carry 27 passengers and has a maximum range of 900 kilometres, fills a gap in China's helicopter product line-up, says Avicopter.

It can be used for transport, cargo, search and rescue, fire-fighting, offshore exploration and medical evacuation missions, it adds.



After the first flight, AVIC I International Leasing signed a contract to purchase five AC313s. Flying Dragon Special Aviation then inked a deal to lease the helicopters and be the launch operator.

Avicopter plans to apply for certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China next year, and is hopeful of applying for EASA and FAA certification after that, says an Avicopter official.

China has also been in discussions with Russian Helicopters about developing a 20t heavy-lift helicopter.

Zhang Hongbiao, director of the AVIC's science and technology committee and former president of AVIC II, did several media interviews this month announcing that Avicopter wants to build a heavy-lift helicopter.

His remarks coincided with the annual sitting of China's parliament in Beijing, a time when many political figures lobby to get national support for projects.

The Avicopter AC313 has achieved type certification in China, clearing the way for it to enter the commercial market.

The helicopter underwent four years of research and development, and is China's largest domestic civilian helicopter to date, said an Avicopter spokesman.

It foresees a number of missions for the AC313. These include search and rescue, fire fighting, offshore operations, cargo and medical evacuation.

The spokesman added that the AC313 is particularly well suited to high altitude operations. Trial flights reaching an altitude of 8,500m were conducted on the Tibetan Plateau.


© Avicopter
The aircraft is based on the Harbin Z-8 military helicopter, a derivative of the Aerospatiale SA321 Super Frelon that first flew in 1962.

The AC313 is powered by three Pratt & Whitney PT6B-67A engines, and can seat up to 27 passengers and two crew.

Avicopter has said that it intends to apply for validation in Europe and the US for the AC313.