AC313A begins cold-weather flight tests

China's independently-developed AC313A large civil helicopter has embarked on its cold-weather flight tests, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The AC313A has recently conducted multiple subjects during its first cold-weather flight test mission at an airport in Mohe, China's northernmost city, said the AVIC, the country's leading aircraft maker.

It marked that the AC313A has entered a new phase by carrying out flight tests under frigid environments for both further improvement and airworthiness certification targets of this new helicopter model, the developer added.

This round of cold-weather flight tests aim to verify the AC313A's flight performance, as well as the performance of its major systems and engines in cold environments. The AVIC-developed AC313A is a 13-tonne-class large multi-purpose civil helicopter with a single main rotor and tail rotor.