FLUG REVUE first flight gallery: Changhe Z11

First Flight Gallery: Changhe Z11

Read the original first flight press release:

First Flight of Chinese Z11 Helicopter Powered by Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A Engine

BORDES, France --- Turbomeca announces that the first flight of the Chinese Z11 helicopter, powered by the Turbomeca engine Arriel 2B1A, successfully took place on 7 March 2003, in Jingdezhen, in the province of Jiangxi, China.

The team was composed of Chen Lianghe, pilot, and Patrick Rimlinger, from CGTM (Compagnie Générale des Turbo-Machines), a Turbomeca subsidiary based at Pau-Uzein, France and specializing in flight tests and maintenance of Turbomeca engines.

The 20-minute flight constitutes the beginning of the validation tests which must lead to a certification of the helicopter by the end of 2003.

The single-engine helicopter from the 2-tonne class was built by Changhe Aircraft Industry with the help of the Jingdezhen Research Institute.

The Arriel 2B1A is a turbo-shaft engine of simple design, with only five modules and a limited number of parts to make maintenance easier. It capitalises on the experience and know-how of the Arriel 1 family. The Time Between Overhauls (TBO) of the Arriel 2 is 3000 hours.

The Arriel has demonstrated its reliability in a large variety of difficult missions, including missions for SAMU (EMS), transport of company personnel, utility and off-shore missions. To date, more than 5000 Arriel engines have been produced by Turbomeca, totalling more than 14 million flight hours with more than 1100 customers in 140 countries.

Turbomeca is the leading helicopter engine manufacturer, and has produced 49 000 turbines based on its own designs since the company was founded. With more than 2 000 customers in over 140 countries, Turbomeca provides a proximity service thanks to its 14 sites, 2 subsidiaries, 23 TurboSupport Centers, 32 repair centers and 90 Field representatives and Field mechanics.

The Head Office is based in Bordes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques (south-west France). Turbomeca is part of the Snecma Group, specialists in aerospace propulsion and equipment. Microturbo, a subsidiary of Turbomeca, is the European leader in turbojet engines for missiles, drones and auxiliary power units.

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Last updated 14 March 2003

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