| AC332 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| AVIC AC332 helicopter in Zhuhai airshow 2024 | |
| Role | Helicopter Type of aircraft |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Aviation Industry Corporation of China |
| Designer | Li Shengwei |
| First flight | 7 April 2023 |
| Status | Under development (2023) |
TheAVIC AC332 is a Chinese civilhelicopter that is under development by theAviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The AC 332's chief designer at AVIC is Li Shengwei. The aircraft is intended to betype certified for production.[1][2][3]
The designprototype had itsfirst flight on 7 April 2023.[2][3]
The AC332 designation was previously applied to an unrelated project for a scaled down version of the RussianMil Mi-26 that was to have first flown in 2032.[2][3]
The aircraft is intended as autility helicopter for personnel transport,search and rescue andlaw enforcement, including highdensity altitude operations. The design features a single, four-bladed main rotor, afenestron tail rotor, twin engines, an enclosed cabin and skid-typelanding gear.[1][2][3]
The design has seating for two crew members and ten passengers. It is expected to have a lower price than comparable western helicopters.[2][3]
The aircraft has a gross weight of 3,850 kg (8,488 lb), a maximum cruising speed of 260 km/h (140 kn), aservice ceiling of 6,000 m (19,685 ft) and a range of 693 km (374 nmi). Maximum take-off altitude is 4,500 m (14,764 ft).[1][2][3]
Theprototype was first flown on 7 April 2021 and type certification is forecast to be completed in 2025.[1][2][3]
Aviation writer Mark Huber described the design as "stylistically a cross between theBell 429 and theAirbus H145".[2]
In April 2023, the company reported that it had orders for 24 aircraft, including six for an aircraft leasing company based inXiamen and 18 for a consortium of Chinese general aviation operators.[1][2][3]
Data from AVweb, AIN, Flight Global[1][2][3]
General characteristics
Performance
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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