The first ultra-light civil helicopter manufactured in China made its debut Thursday at the first China Helicopter Exposition, which runs from Thursday to Sunday in the northern port city of Tianjin.

The one-tonne AC310 helicopter, equipped with a fuel-efficient engine and flexible rotor system, can carry two to three passengers and cruise at up to 159 kilometers per hour, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), which developed and manufactured the ultra-light helicopter.

The aircraft can be deployed for emergency rescue, environmental monitoring, flight training, and private use, said Wang Bin, president of Avicopter Corporation Limited, a joint venture between AVIC and the Tianjin municipal government.

(Source: Xinhua)