Over 100 helicopters sold at China expo

More than 100 choppers were sold at the second China Helicopter Expo that also showcased the latest-concept unmanned JY-8 model in the northern city of Tianjin, official media reported today.
The event, which ended today, attracted more than 300 enterprises from the industry here and abroad, according to the organisers.
More than 8,000 industry professionals and some 40,000 visitors attended the four-day event.
China's latest-concept unmanned helicopter, JY-8, made its debut at the expo.
The JY-8 helicopter is said have a maximum speed of 400 kms per hour.
Also at the event, China's Changhe Aircraft Industrial Group and US-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corp signed an agreement for co-producing S-76D commercial utility helicopters, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

China's helicopter industry has been on a steady rise over the last decade.
The industry will enter a critical period in the next three to five years, Cai Yi, general manager of the helicopter branch of Aviation Industry Corporation of China said.
Industry experts predict that the number of helicopters in the country will grow by over 30 per cent annually over the next decade, the Xinhua report said.