Avicopter ponders alternative engine following EC175 first flight

Chinese state-owned helicopter manufacturer Avicopter is considering the launch of a new engine programme for the EC175/Z15 medium twin that it is developing jointly with Eurocopter.

Eurocopter chief executive Lutz Bertling says that while Eurocopter had no plans to equip the EC175 with any engine other than the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67AE, the Chinese partner was understood to be in talks with Turbomeca about a possible alternative powerplant for the helicopter (which it has brand-named the Z15). However, no agreement had yet been reached, he says. Read more...