Chinese company just bought another American helicopter company

Yangshuo, Guangxi, built the first general aviation incubator allowed the production of four models

2013-10-14 11:44 Source: Guilin Evening   

■ Core Tip     This year, China Open 3000 meters altitude areas in Guangxi as the country into which the second batch of pilot provinces, Guilin's general aviation industry is also taking advantage of entering the "flight" era.     October 9, the reporter visited the Federal Aerospace Holdings Group (hereinafter referred to as the Federal Aviation) in the town of Yangshuo County grapes aviation incubator, here has started production of general aviation aircraft. National Day eve, the country's first helicopter Hornet aircraft in the base complete reassembly. It is understood that this base with an annual output of 140 kinds of helicopter capacity, and will continue to introduce, including single-seat helicopter, five helicopters, two-seater gyroplanes, sporty two-seater seaplane variety of follow-up models, these aircraft will be completed in Guilin, manufacture, production, assembly, sales and service, "stop", marked "Guilin create" imprint.     Reporter walked into "Guilin create" air base     9 pm, the reporter arrived at the town of Guilin, Yangshuo County grapes Tiger general aviation industry incubation base (hereinafter referred to as Tiger Air Base), which is a set of helicopters, fixed-wing small aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and delivery center in one of the new factory. Its manufacture of general aviation aircraft, referring to military aircraft and civil aircraft in addition to outside of the aircraft.     Tiger Air Base is located in the verdant hills under the grass with 4 new helipad helipad side is a row of a new manufacturing plant. In addition to the apron, from the appearance point of view, this manufacturing plant with the ordinary automobile production plant almost.     Reporters followed the staff into the shop, see shop floor is anti-static floor paint, but apart from "Hornet" helicopter finished, the rest of the place was empty, no reporters imaginary line, the whole plant is more like a big warehouse.     Here how to make airplanes? Staff, aircraft workshop with completely different automobile production lines, all of the helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft, each small parts are produced in the United States or elsewhere after a good, and then transported to the air base to be assembled, so we imaginary line does not exist. Plus aircraft bulky, so the workshop is particularly tall, looks like a big warehouse.     "This is called 'Department of loading', with simple assembly is completely different, 'Department of loading' belong to the manufacturing field." Guilin Flying Tigers General Aviation Manufacturing Ltd, who explained to reporters, such as large parts of aircraft assembled and then Next assembly, assembly can be carried out after the test flight.Reporters carefully observed, the manufacturing workshop of the eight separate areas divided by a seat equipped with a tool bit, shop a total installed capacity of 4 bits.     Go back to the four tarmac outside the workshop, the reporter saw here pavement lights, indicator lines and other facilities, Tiger Air Base officials said, this small airport is the helicopter pilot airports, several helicopters manufactured by Guilin very adaptable, as long as there is such a small airport landing can be achieved. "In a few days, we will first helicopter test flight."     It is understood that reporters have seen this air base a construction area of ​​about 30 acres.     Why settle general aviation big Guilin?     Federal Aviation is a general aviation industry development company based in Melbourne, Texas, was the first to enter China (2011) Foreign Universal Airlines, whose main strategy is to build six major Chinese shipping industry center.     It is reported that six federal aerospace industrial centers are located in South, East, North, Northeast, Central and West China, where air base is located in southern China Guilin. Federal Aviation Asia Pacific president David in an interview with reporters, said that in six bases, Guilin base is the fastest startup and put into production.     Tiger company said the Federal Aviation in China's first batch of six base layout strategic considerations. Although general aviation professionals from the perspective of various reasons such as mountainous, Guilin flight clearance zone (refer to regulations at airports and routes around the area, in this region of the various buildings, markers can not be higher elevation its value is specified, the other can not appear impede flight marker) is not too fit, but Guilin has its unique advantages, the very high profile in the world, and has rich tourism resources and the strong popularity, which will help the Federal Aviation rapid increase in awareness of southern China, while Guilin can also serve as a hub to connect parts of southern China city, which also meet with the other five bases to complete the Federal Aviation radiation surrounding each base in China, seamless, covering target country.     In the future, Tiger Airways aircraft manufacturing base in the Asia Pacific region will be mainly sold as "Guilin manufacturing" low cost, so price is also the same level than the global market price of other general aviation aircraft by 20% -30% This will allow the "Guilin manufacturing" aircraft on the market more competitive, which is also located in Guilin Air Base choose one of the reasons.     Manufacturing base has allowed four "star" model     There are many general aviation aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles to more than 10 seats from fixed-wing aircraft, the current Tiger base can produce what kind of aircraft it?     Tiger General Aviation Manufacturing Ltd, told reporters that the first batch of federal authority in Guilin aerospace manufacturing models are mainly four kinds, namely, mosquito, hummingbirds, hornets and Titan.     The "Mosquito" aircraft is a single-seat ultralight helicopter, all-carbon fiber composite materials, only 115 kg body weight, extremely lightweight, cruising speed can reach 130 kilometers per hour, is very easy to control. As a personal vehicle, or for routine patrol flight school, its use is very wide, the estimated price of 980,000 yuan.     "Hornet" is the latest lightweight two-seater trainer helicopter, with the same type in the world's most advanced one-piece carbon fiber composite body, fiberglass than traditional steel or aluminum models more robust security model . Body weight 318 kg, cruising speed of 200 kilometers per hour, and the fuel consumption and maintenance costs, expected market price 2.88 million yuan.     Cost about 6.88 million yuan of the "Hummingbird" is a civilian military change a light five high performance multipurpose helicopters from Sikorsky S-52 military aircraft made improvements to upgrade for business jets, aerial fire fighting, emergency rescue, air patrols and air travel and other needs. Body weight 839 kg, cruising speed of 190 kilometers per hour and a maximum range reaches 604 km. Previously, "hummingbird" helicopter was also in the Arctic and other extreme regions responsible for supply operational tasks, excellent performance, complete after stalling in the air "free floating down" safe landing movements.     Estimated price of 980,000 yuan of the "Titans" is a high-performance two-seater amphibious sport aircraft, body weight 199.6 kg, can easily take off and land on the water or on land, cruising speed of 200 kilometers per hour and a maximum range up 800 km. Also optional catapult-style parachute, parachute in case of emergency eject, can make the whole plane safely landed on the ground, known as the world's safest helicopter.     Local manufacture connectivity Guilin aviation industry chain     According to reports, in accordance with the present, the air base one's capacity to produce annually about 140 helicopters, and this is just a beginning.     Tiger base in the person in charge, the base will gradually be extended to four unit assembly plants, respectively, fuselage, wings, power systems, UAV unit installation. Have introduced the future also includes single-seat helicopter, five helicopters, two-seater gyroplanes, two-seater sports seaplane other variety models. In addition to grape base in Yangshuo manufacturing, assembling aircraft, the base will be extended to other areas in Guilin.     Base charge, told reporters at the end of the forthcoming construction of two industrial park construction is completed, the base volume will reach 500 aircraft of various types. This includes the upcoming introduction of the "air car" amphibious aircraft. "This model, flexibility is very high, the terrain is not critical, it is important, only to have more than one meter deep water, water can be achieved aircraft takeoff and landing."     In addition to the Ministry of installed manufacturing, Tiger Airways also plans to create a base for the development, production, operations, services 4 one of the general aviation industry chain. "Our current technology comes from the head office and we hope that through the period of study, to develop our own new technology, is more focused on technology and adapt to the local market." View Larger Map     In addition to these R & D program, the base of the air carrier service has also been listed on the schedule. The company official said that at the base development plan, in addition to the manufacture of aircraft, but also while carrying out aviation school, aviation club, tour operator services, and the surrounding facilities will subsequently build up. "We will have a systematic plan in Guilin general aviation establish a complete industrial chain, combined with the development, production, operation, four full range of integrated services framework."