Page 21 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2013 Online Magazine

FEATURE CHINA HELICOPTERS

AgustaWestland is not resting idle helicopter will likely be used to fly cargo The joint venture has recently
either. The company currently has over and passengers, as well as for firefighting. broadened its helicopter support and
40 helicopters of various types being The AC313 is also expected to be helpful services, offering Eurocopter-approved
used for law enforcement, disaster in search and rescue missions, and in the rotor blade repairs on a wide range of
relief, firefighting, harbour pilot shuttles, oil industry. AVIC says it is planning to helicopter types, from the light single-
as well as VIP, utility and passenger pursue certification of the AC313 in the engine EC120 to heavy twin-engine
transport. Some Chinese operators using United States and Europe. helicopters such as the Super Puma
AgustaWestland helicopters at present AS332and EC225.
include Guangxi Province and the Public Stumbling blocks “[CGAMEC’s] capabilities will soon
Security Bureau of Nanning, Ordos, Despite undoubted progress, Eurocopter increase to also include gear box repairs
Zhejiang and Shenzhen, as well as the China’s Boulnois says many stumbling on the Ecureuil light aircraft range
Maritime Safety Administration, which blocks still remain. as well,” he says, “again reinforcing
uses the craft in its expanding water “The civilian market growth rate Eurocopter’s belief in local deployment
pollution monitoring activities. will rely on economic agents as well as of capabilities to provide cost-efficient
on the capability to train enough pilots services to meet customers’ needs, as the
Domestic push and technicians. China needs to invest rotorcraft sector continues to develop and
Local manufacturers too are pursuing in and develop in-country warranty and mature in China.”
aggressive expansion plans through a technical support, maintenance, spare According to Boulnois, a logistics hub
combination of foreign buyouts, joint parts, logistical support and facilities in opened in Beijing in 2009 in cooperation
venture agreements and other initiatives. order to meet the needs of the booming with Hua-Ou Aviation Support Centre has
At the end of 2012 Chongqing Helicopter helicopter market,” he explains. significantly reduced lead time and cost
Investment Co (CQHIC), announced “China also needs to further exploit of delivery of spare parts for Eurocopter’s
that it had acquired US-based Enstrom the full potential of airspace resources Chinese customers – and further
Helicopter in a move designed to in order to establish a much stronger supported the sector’s growth.
capitalise on expectations that China air traffic management system,” he “As good maintenance and efficient
will be a major market for helicopters notes, “as well as creating an effective training are the keys to safe operations,
over the next two decades. The change regulatory framework to encourage the Eurocopter is planning the development
in ownership is expected to fund new development of general aviation while of a nationwide support network,
product development, increase marketing ensuring safety and security.” together with dedicated training
reach in Asia, and support manufacturing Boulnois says Eurocopter China has services,” he stresses.
to help control and reduce costs. played a pioneering role in developing Among other cooperative ventures,
The country’s expansion into the support and services infrastructure and Eurocopter China has separately
general aviation industry has also networks throughout the country through collaborated with the Civil Aviation Flight
included its first locally made heavy-lift various partnerships and cooperation University of China and the Civil Aviation
civilian helicopter, built by the Aviation programmes with local partners. University of China to develop ab-initio
Industry Corporation of China, or AVIC. “Our ongoing cooperation programmes training programmes for technicians and
The AC313, which can carry as many as are well-placed to tackle not only pilots, respectively.
27 passengers and has a maximum take- current demands, but have the capacity “We are also working on developing
off weight of just over 13 tonnes, has now for more when demand increases,” he type-rating training solutions, as well as
been approved by the government for notes. “Currently, Eurocopter is one of setting up Eurocopter flight simulators
commercial use. With a range of more the major shareholders of Shenzhen- in China, to help develop a pool of highly
than 880 kilometres, and height limit of based CGAMEC, the leading company for qualified helicopter pilots and enhance
around 8,500 metres, its maker says the helicopter MRO activities in China.” flight safety,” he says. “The first full flight
simulator has now been installed within
the Airbus China Training Centre in Beijing
Growth restrictions and began operations after obtaining its
Eurocopter China CEO Bruno Boulnois says the oil and gas segment is so far qualification in late 2012.”
the most dynamic market in China, followed by homeland security, search and While there is obviously still much
rescue, and utility missions. Private and corporate transportation, disaster
relief, environment monitoring, power line survey, firefighting missions and work to be done, a more flexible
emergency medical services are other areas of growth. regulatory environment in combination
However, despite the undoubted need for its development, the emergency with effective pilot training programmes
medical rescue market is at a very early stage, with its growth restricted by and maintenance activities will be key to
a lack of landing pads at hospitals, as well as limited availability of insurance China’s general aviation market reaching
covering air rescues in China.
its massive growth potential.
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