China's domestically developed civilian freight helicopter, the AC313, successfully climbed to a height of 8,000 meters, an altitude that will enable the chopper to fulfill plateau missions.
The AC313, developed and manufactured by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), hit its highest altitude to date during a trial flight on Sept. 2 at Gonghe Airport in northwest China's Qinghai Province, AVIC said in a statement Tuesday.
"The test flight has fully proven the helicopter's function and reliability, and will decide the range of its flight altitude," said Xu Chaoliang, chief engineer of the AC313.
The helicopter, with a Maximum Takeoff Weight of 13.8 tons, can be used for transportation, forest fire prevention, emergency search and rescue missions, disaster relief and medical aid.
The AC313 completed its maiden flight in March 2010.