China's AVIC Obtains Production License for AC312E Helicopter

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has obtained production license for the AC312E helicopter and plans to deliver 4 in final assembly during 2023.

On January 11, AVIC Tianzhi passed the production license approval process of the Civil Aviation North China Regional Administration, officially obtained the AC312E9 (H425-100) helicopter production license, and has the AC312E (H425-100) helicopter production qualification.

In May 2021, Tianzhi submitted an application for a civil aviation product production license to the North China Regional Administration of Civil Aviation and was accepted. It took 1 year and 8 months to carry out three stages of quality system documentation, quality system on-site and supplier control. The PC review work and the obtaining of the production license indicate that Tianzhi's related production facilities, quality system and quality documents are in compliance with the relevant airworthiness regulations of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

In the future, Tianzhi will strictly abide by the relevant airworthiness regulations, and steadily carry out the mass production of AC312E. It plans to deliver 4 AC312E in final assembly in 2023. According to the progress of the research and development work, it will choose the opportunity to carry out the PC augmentation work of AC352 and AC332, in order to accelerate the promotion of civilian use in Tianjin. Contributed to the construction of helicopter platforms.

AC312E Helicopter

The AC312E is China’s first light twin-engine civil helicopter and has been in development since 2015. The helicopter, which made its maiden flight July 2016, was developed by AVIC subsidiary Harbin Aircraft Industry Group.

It can carry nine passengers, with a maximum takeoff weight of 4.25 metric tons and a maximum payload of 1.7 tons.

On the Tibetan Plateau, where the natural and geographical features are complex, AC312E has reached 6,300 meters above sea level.

In addition, taking off at an airport at an altitude of 4,500m and cruising at an altitude of 5,000m, the aircraft has reached a range of 500km with a 500kg payload.