Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' (MHI) MH2000 twin-turboshaft helicopter was granted full type certification by the Japanese Ministry of Transport's Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) on 24 September. Deliveries of the country's first indigenously produced helicopter have begun.
The certificate upgrades the 650kW (875hp) Mitsubishi MG5-110 twin turboshaft-powered MH2000 from the limitations imposed by its initial certification, granted in 1997. That restricted the helicopter's flight envelope, limiting the machine to flights below 8,000ft (2,400m) and a take-off weight below 4.3t (9,500lb).
The fully certificated MH2000, which offers a maximum speed of 150kt (280km/h), a range of 780km, and cruise of 135kt, can operate at up to 15,000ft, and has a maximum take-off weight of 4.5t, says MHI.
The manufacturer is eyeing US Federal Aviation Administration certification, but has no fixed target date. "We will first focus on developing the Japanese market before embarking on an export drive," it says.
The first 10-seat production aircraft was due to be handed over to Excel Air Service in a ceremony on 1 October at the Komaki South plant of MHI's Nagoya Aerospace Systems works. Excel operates day and night sightseeing flights in the Tokyo and Yokohama Bay area.
The manufacturer has so far acquired only two further orders for the MH2000 from a private customer and the Japanese National Aerospace Laboratory.
Source: Flight International
