Safran Helicopter Engines has obtained a Validation of Type Certification (VTC) from CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China) for its Arriel 2H engine powering the Avicopter AC312E. A VTC is based on the EASA type certificate (obtained in 2018) and confirms that an imported engine conforms with Chinese airworthiness standards. This Arriel variant was selected in 2015 to power this helicopter developed by AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry Group, a subsidiary of Avic (Aviation Industry Corporation of China), and certified by EASA in April 2018. The AC312E made its maiden flight in July 2016.Commented Nicolas Billecocq, Safran Helicopter Engines Vice President Light Helicopter Engines Program, “This Chinese certification is an important milestone for the Arriel engine program. It emphasizes our ability to support new Chinese helicopter entry-into-service”.