At the Chinese Helicopter Expo in Tianjin, Avicopter is displaying their new AC310, which appears to be heavily based on the Schweizer 300, but with a slighly pointy nose.  The “copy” aspect really comes as no surprise, after their AC311 looks very similar to Eurocopter’s AS350, and their large AC313 heavily based on the aged SA321 Super Frelon.

Precise specificiation details are still being gathered, but it’s close on 1000kg max take off weight, and a cruise speed of 159kmh (98mph, 86 knots) is being quoted.  A price tag of 3.5 million yuan (US$541,100) is affordable to China’s rich and flying clubs.

Wang Bin, president of Avicopter, says that the first fight was achieved in August 2011 and local Chinese certification is expected in May 2012.  Avicopter is a joint venture between AVIC and the Tianjin Municpal Government.

It also makes us wonder here at HeliHub.com what the AC312 will be….  Perhaps a copy of a light twin?