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Homemade giant helicopter debuts
By Zuo Likun (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-03-18 11:40
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A giant domestic helicopter for civil use with a maximum take-off load of 13.8 tons, landed safely after its live-televised debut in Jingdezhen city, east China's Jiangxi province Thursday morning.
The blue and white stripped AC313 helicopter was seen hovering up in the air over an unspecific area, where China Central Television reporters were waiting to board the aircraft soon after it landed.
The giant helicopter was designed and produced by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, a state-own enterprise which provides advanced aviation weaponry to the country's military forces.
The latest product, with a maximum voyage of 900 kilometers (559 miles) and a boarding capacity of 27 passengers, is hailed as a breakthrough in domestic aviation technology which could be employed in earthquake relief.
The giant helicopter will be subject to further design changes and improvements after Thursday's test debut, chief engineer Xu Chaoliang said to China National Radio on the spot.
