Tue, Nov 18, 2008
Helicopter Joint Venture Hits Another Milestone
On November 15, Harbin Aviation Industry Co. (HAIG) successfully
delivered the first EC175 airframe structure to Eurocopter at its
factory in Harbin/China in the presence of representatives from
both companies. This is the third key milestone for the development
of the multi-role medium-twin class 16-passenger helicopter.
The EC175/Z15 is a 50:50 joint program between Eurocopter and
HAIG, a subsidiary of the Chinese helicopter manufacturer
AVICOPTER. The cooperation contract was signed in December 2005,
with the completion of the Preliminary Design Review in 2006
followed by the Critical Design Review in 2007.
After the delivery of this airframe structure from Harbin, the
assembly of the first EC175 prototype will start in Marignane with
its maiden flight will take place by the end of 2009. The EASA
(European Aviation Safety Agency) type certification for this
helicopter is expected for 2011 with CAAC (Civil Aviation
Administration of China) certification for this aircraft, called
"Z15" in China, in 2012.
Representatives with Eurocopter and HAIG say they are "very
satisfied" with the progress of the development program which is
consistent with the initial schedule. Both parties also insisted on
the excellent spirit between the teams since the very beginning of
the cooperation.
The delivery of the first EC175 helicopter is expected to start
in 2012 with the objective to sell approximately 800 helicopters
over 20 years worldwide. A big step towards this target was taken
at the unveiling of the helicopter at Heli-Expo 2008 in Houston
this February where Eurocopter signed intentions to buy with 13
different customers for a total of 111 units in 3 days.
Showcased for the first time at Zhuhai Airshow in early November
in China, a letter of intent for five Z15 helicopters was also
signed between HAIG and Longken General Aviation Cooperation, a
domestic general-purpose aviation company.
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