First Korean-made civil helicopter takes flight

Korea successfully tested its first light civil helicopter developed with domestic technologies, the Industry Ministry said Thursday, paving the way for possible commercialization.

The prototype edition of the light civil helicopter flew for around 20 minutes at the headquarters of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.

In 2014, Korea launched the project to develop both civil and military editions in cooperation with French-based Airbus Helicopters.
The new chopper is equipped with around 80 domestically-produced parts and technologies, including auto flight control system, active vibration control system and main rotor blade.

The technologies and parts applied on the civil helicopter will also be utilized for the light armed helicopter, according to the ministry.
The prototype was developed from a local production line that meets the standards of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Korea will begin exclusive production of the helicopter after winning more certifications.

The helicopter can be used by different organizations ranging from the National Fire Agency to the Korea Forest Service.
The market for light civilian helicopters is expected to grow sharply in Asia over the next decade amid rising demand from government-related operations, the health care, and transportation segments, the ministry said.

“The successful pilot run of the chopper symbolizes all the efforts made by the country’s aviation industry,” the ministry said in a statement.

Yonhap