The Chinese-developed AC312E light civilian helicopter has passed its stability flight test, a key performance test for helicopters.

The model has undertaken multiple flight tests totalling 18 hours, including those for stability and cooling of its propulsion system, at a civil airport in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

It represents a major step for AC312E on its validation flight test journey as a new helicopter model, the AVIC said.