AC313A starts cold weather trials

The AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) AC313A, being the latest member of the ever growing Super Frelon-family, has started its cold weather trials at China’s northernmost airfield of Mohe.

The AC313A is the civilian version of the Z-8L, and therefore the widebody version of the AC313/Z-8G.

Not only the internal load area has increased compared to the AC313, but also the boat-shape bottom part of the fuselage has been deleted, necessitating much larger sponsions housing the fuel tanks.

The AC313 helicopter is one of the few helicopters that has sufficient flight performance to be allowed to operate from the high Tibet plateau.

Photocredit: AC313A B-0FJX (AVIC)