Russian rotor news in brief

Rostec will supply 50 Mi-8AMT helicopters to UTair: Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec State Corporation) announced during the MAKS-2021 International Aviation and Space Show that it has agreed with UTair Helicopter Services to deliver about 50 Mi-8AMT helicopters for delivery starting in 2022. Flight and technical characteristics of Mi-8AMT provide transportation of up to 27 passengers and cargo up to 4 tons inside cargo cabin or on an external sling. With a wide range of additional equipment, Mi-8AMT helicopters can be used in transport, passenger, fire, sanitary, search and rescue and emergency versions. Utair already operates more than 100 helicopters from the Mi-17 family. The 50 new machines are an important part of the company’s fleet management plan implementation, as outlined in the airline’s financial model. Fleet replenishment will bring a positive budgetary effect and will create many new jobs for pilots, engineers and ground service workers. Rostec and Russian Post to launch drone tests: Russian Helicopters has signed an agreement with Russian Post on the use of drones in the Chukotka Autonomous District. The companies will conduct the first test flights along the Anadyr-Ugolnye Kopi route in Chukotka by the end of 2021. Following experimental flights, the parties plan to run unmanned aircraft on 20 routes and use them to deliver up to 245 tonnes of mail per year. Two Russian drones, the latest BAS-200 and VRT300, will be used for cargo delivery. Russian Post plans to launch unmanned delivery on 48 routes in four regions – Chukotka Autonomous District, Kamchatka Krai, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District. The BAS-200 has a maximum take-off weight of 200 kilograms can be applied for terrain monitoring, cargo delivery, search and rescue, and agricultural work.  It can reach speed up to 160 km/h and is capable of transporting commercial load up to 50 kilograms. The VRT300 is a helicopter-type unmanned aircraft system has a maximum take-off weight of up to 380 kilograms. Drones can be applied for terrain monitoring, cargo delivery, forest protection activities, human search and rescue, and agricultural needs. The drone can carry a payload of 70 kilograms, reach speeds of up to 130 km/h and fly a range of up to 325 kilometres. Russian Helicopters presents new Ka-226T model: JSC Russian Helicopters has presented the Ka-226T Climber helicopter at the MAKS-2021 International Aviation and Space Salon. The new model is the latest variant in the Ka-226 family. The Ka-226T Climber is ideal for flying in mountainous areas. Its coaxial rotors allow for easy control even at the highest altitudes with rarefied air. It boasts high resistance to strong side winds, and high rate of climb, as well as easy take-off and landing at high-altitude sites. The Ka-226T Climber also performs well in flights over water, and can take off and land on the deck of even a small seagoing vessel. With low vibration levels, the Ka-226T Climber is a light helicopter which is easy to control. Capable of taking off from, and landing on, small areas (for instance, in a city), it offers highly stable hovering even during operation with external loads, and can be safely boarded while the rotors are turning. Compared to older models in the Ka-226 family, the Ka-226T Climber possesses a number of significantly enhanced features. The redesigned frame boasts impressive aerodynamic characteristics. The fuselage is made using modern light materials, the flight controls and power systems have undergone considerable modernisation, and a shockproof crash-resistant fuel system has been installed in line with the highest safety standards. The model also features enlarged fuel tanks and centralised refuelling, as well as new flight and navigation equipment, and upgraded radio communication equipment. Serial production of the Ka-226T Climber is planned to start in 2022 at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant in close cooperation with the Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]