Wang Ya'nan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said China has long been in need of heavy-lift civilian helicopters.

"There are many natural disasters in our country each year and a lot of them take place in remote, underdeveloped regions. Air-based response and relief methods, compared with other means, are faster and more efficient, and are especially useful when it comes to operations in plateau areas," he said.

"However, the number of such helicopters is still far from enough in China. We need a large amount of AC313As and we shall deploy them as soon as possible."

In addition to the AC313A, AVIC is also working to prepare another new model－the AC332－for its maiden flight which has been scheduled for this year.

Propelled by two engines, the AC332 will have a maximum takeoff weight of about 3.9 tons and will be capable of carrying 12 people－two pilots and 10 passengers. When deployed in a plateau area, it will be able to carry passengers or supplies with a combined weight of 600 kilograms and travel 600 kilometers, according to Li Shengwei, the AC332's chief designer.