Saffron Helicopter Engines received the certification EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) for its engine Arriel 2H, installed in the Avicopter AC312E. This Arriel model was selected in 2015 to power this helicopter developed by Avic Harbin Aircraft Industry Group, a subsidiary of Avic (Aviation Industry Corporation of China). The AC312E made its maiden flight in July 2016. Nicolas Billecocq, vice-president of the Light Helicopter Engine Program at Saffron, indicated along this line that « Receiving certification of this type is an important milestone for the Arriel engine program. It emphasizes that Arriel remains a very strong and high-performance engine solution for the new rotor craft. We are now looking forward to the next phases of development of the AC312E. » Developed from the Arriel 2+, the 2H is one of the most powerful models of Arriel with take-off power of 986 shaft horsepower (shp). Arriel is the highest selling helicopter motor of its category. Over the last 40 years, more than 12,000 units have been produced, combining for more than 50 million flight hours. With power outputs ranging from 650 to more than 1,000 shp, the Arriel family today powers more than 40 different types of helicopters. For information, a helicopter powered with an Arriel Engine takes off every 15 seconds – all day, every day.