Z-20 File photo: IC

Hovering over the air show area, a fleet of China's new self-developed Z-20 helicopters took part in a flight demonstration at a helicopter expo in northern China's Tianjin Municipality.

The multifunctional helicopter, developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), made its first public appearance during a massive National Day parade on October 1.

Li Linhua, chief technologist with the helicopter division of the AVIC, said the Z-20 is a medium-lift helicopter with double, China-made engines. It can work in complicated meteorological conditions and has good adaptability to high elevations.

Chen Guang, vice general manager of AVIC Helicopter Co, the AVIC helicopter branch in charge of the Z-20 project, said the adoption of the fly-by-wire flight control system can substantially reduce the Z-20's overall weight.

"The innovation of the Z-20 helicopter will play a leading role in China's helicopter industry development in the future," Chen said.

Helicopters have become one of the fastest-growing segments of China's aviation industry, with an average growth rate of 25 percent over the past five years.

The helicopter family has developed systematically with various models, witnessing the continuous improvement of innovation capabilities. They can be used in public services, emergency rescue, flight training, air tours and traditional agricultural work.

As the leading company of China's helicopter industry, AVIC Helicopter adheres to the development path of independent innovation and has developed various piloted and unmanned helicopters.

Lv Jie, general manager of AVIC Helicopter, said the series of AC311, AC312 and AC313 civilian helicopters developed by the company have received type certificates from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and have been put into use in the fields of forest fire prevention, police aviation, search and rescue, and so on.

"Among them, the AC313 has become core equipment for forest fire protection, and the AC312 and AC311 helicopters have been used for police aviation in nine provinces and municipalities of China," Lv said.

Moreover, the "heart" engine for the helicopter has also seen a breakthrough. The WZ16 aircraft engine, a type of turboshaft engine jointly developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China and French aviation giant Safran, has received a certificate from the CAAC.

The engine has a takeoff power of no less than 1,240 kilowatts. It can be fitted into seven-ton twin-engine helicopters. It is characterized by high reliability and has reached the level of advanced international civilian engines.

"The aviation industry is an important support for China's strategy of building strong manufacturing power," said Wu Xiandong, executive vice president of the AVIC, adding that many innovative breakthroughs in the aviation industry have provided driving forces for the growth of the manufacturing industry.

The 5th China Helicopter Exposition concluded on October 13 in Tianjin, with sales of 141 helicopters surpassing 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion), according to the organizers.