China's AC313, its first heavy-lift helicopter for civilian purpose, has successfully passed all airworthiness tests, sources from developers said on Tuesday.

According to Changhe Aircraft Industry Group Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corp of China, the most recent test flight took place in Jingdezhen in east China's Jiangxi Province.

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The AC313 helicopter successfully carried out the tests despite heavy rain, with precipitation exceeding 0.03 inch within six minutes. It had to fly at high speed with an altitude of 200 to 500 meters to prove it was airworthy in rain.

"The results were positive - the helicopter's airborne systems and equipment worked normally and the pilot had a clear view," a document from the developer wrote, further confirming that the helicopter has "met all criteria for airworthiness."

The AC313 helicopter made its maiden flight in Jingdezhen City last March 2010 and had completed two test flights on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in 2010 and 2011. It has also received airworthiness certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in January 2012 and completed the T5 evaluation test conducted by the Aircraft Evaluation Group in December 2013, Aerospace Technology reported.

The aircraft is equipped to make emergency rescue operations, respond to forest fires, transport, conduct offshore operations, provide medical aid, and accommodate sightseeing and business trips.

The AC313 is based on an improved design of the Harbin Z-8 military helicopter, which is a derivative of the Aerospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon. The single-rotor helicopter has six main and five tail rotor blades, while the main rotor hub is made of titanium. The AC313 is designed to provide protection against salt fog and humidity.

TagsAC313, heavy lift helicopter, helicopter, Aviation Industry Corp. of China, Changhe Aircraft Industry Group Co. Ltd