The AC313 plane, China's first homemade giant helicopter for civil use, takes off on its maiden flight on Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province. [Photo: chinanews.com.cn]
China's first domestically developed civilian helicopter took off on its maiden flight on Thursday.
The AC313 was developed and manufactured by China's Aviation Industry Corporation and can carry 27 passengers or up to 13.8 tonnes.
The new helicopter was designed to be used for rescue missions in typhoons, forest fires, and other natural disasters.
China is keen to invest in the aerospace industry with the aim of reducing its dependence on aviation companies Boeing and Airbus.
Beijing is aiming to manufacture large passenger jets that can seat more than 150 people, and capable of carrying over 100 tonnes of cargo.
In 2009 China unveiled its first self-manufactured jumbo jet, the C919, built by the government-backed Commercial Aircraft Corporation. The plane is scheduled to make its first flight in 2014.
The AC313 plane, China's first homemade giant helicopter for civil use, takes off on its maiden flight on Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi province. [Photo: chinanews.com.cn]
