The AC311A civil helicopter prepares for a sling-load flight test in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, May 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's independently-developed AC311A civil helicopter has successfully completed a major plateau sling-load flight test in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The light helicopter recently underwent this sling-load operation flight test by slinging freight weighing 325 kilograms at a general airport at an altitude of 3,680 meters in Lhasa, said the AVIC, the country's leading aircraft manufacturer.

Lifting and slinging the freight, the AC311A smoothly conducted a series of flight test activities, such as climbing, turning, level flight, and gliding, before landing safely.

During the whole process, the AC311A helicopter showed good flight controllability and stability in plateau conditions, said the AVIC.

The six-seat AC311A is a two-tonne light single-engine civil helicopter.

It has a maximum take-off weight of 2,250 kilograms, a maximum cruise speed of 240 kilometers per hour, a maximum range of 630 kilometers, and a service ceiling of up to 6,000 meters, according to the developer.

It is a challenging task for helicopters to conduct external sling-load operations in high altitude areas as such operations place high demands on helicopters. It is also very important for them to be able to carry out emergency rescue and other missions, especially in plateau environments.

The latest plateau sling-load flight test confirmed the capability of the AC311A helicopter to apply diversified applications in plateau conditions, ranging from supply delivery, aerial seeding and afforestation, to forest protection and fire prevention, among others, said the AVIC.

AC311A can rapidly respond to emergency rescue missions in the event of natural disasters. It is capable of more precise delivery of relief materials to disaster-affected areas via an external sling, and thus it can help win valuable time in rescue operations.

This helicopter is installed with a highly integrated avionics system and a digital stability augmentation system. It has also reserved a variety of device interfaces for optional mission equipment, making it possible to adapt to the requirements of other future missions.

Vast potentials lie ahead. AC311A can serve missions in cold, high altitude, and other complex environments. It can also be widely used in fields such as police law enforcement, emergency rescue, agricultural and forestry spraying, medical rescue, power line patrol, cargo delivery, and more, according to the developer.

Even more Chinese homegrown civil helicopters will be developed for missions on the plateau and in other regions across the vast country, highlighting the unique roles and vitality of aeronautical equipment, said the AVIC.

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