The Avicopter AC311 light single-engine utility helicopter had its type certification “recommended” under China’s approval procedures last month. The Civil Aviation Administration of China’s (CAAC) type certification examination committee recommended issuance of the type certificate in a meeting held on May 4 in Beijing. Attending were Yan Shijun, deputy director of the airworthiness department, Dan Jingmin, a researcher at the Ministry of Industry, and Avic Helicopters manager Chang Fei.

Review of the engineering data was completed on April 28. On April 1, the certification flight program was completed after pilots from the CAAC’s airworthiness department had flown 14 sorties totaling 13 hours. The AC311 first flew in 2010 in Tianjin, where Avicopter has its headquarters. The aircraft has an mtow of 4,850 pounds. Capable of carrying six people, it can be powered by either a Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 or a WZ8D, a local license-produced Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A. The new helicopter is also said to feature “highly integrated” avionics. Avicopter is a joint venture between airframer Avic and the Tianjin municipal government.