Mi-171A2 reaches record speed at the Baikal Mile festival
Mi-171A2 helicopter by Russian Helicopters holding company (part of Rostec State Corporation) established a Russian record: it reached a maximum speed at a limited distance of 1.6 kilometers. During the “Baikal Mile” festival the civilian helicopter operated by the crew of the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (U-UAZ) reached the speed of 268 kph at a minimum altitude of 20 meters.
The U-UAZ crew set the record during three competition flights. Prior to that, a series of training flights were made to assess the behavior of the helicopter and how the measuring equipment works, and to adjust photography and video equipment for taking pictures and filming.
"Mi-171A2 has the best features of the world-famous Mi-8 type rotorcraft. The rotorcraft was tested in extreme environmental conditions: these helicopters can be operated in temperatures from -50 to +50 degrees Celsius. At the Baikal Mile festival the rotorcraft demonstrated its best features once again: speed, control, maneuverability, and stability. The record set at the short distance and at the limited altitude confirmed the great performance of the helicopter," said Executive Director of Rostec State Corporation Oleg Yevtushenko.
Mi-171A2 helicopter has the best features of the world-famous Mi-8/17 type rotorcraft. The helicopter is equipped with VK-2500PS-03 engines (the civilian version of the military helicopter Mi-28 engines) with a digital control system. The helicopter can be used for a wider range of purposes due to upgraded piloting and navigation equipment and avionics. Mi-171А2 may be effectively operated in high mountains, at low and high temperatures, high humidity, and overwater. The piloting and navigation equipment allows using the helicopter around the clock, in normal and difficult weather conditions.
"Participation of the helicopter in the festival and flights over the ice of Lake Baikal are additional opportunities to show the potential of Mi-171A2. The flights to set the record started with hovering. A mobile GPS station installed on the helicopter recorded the result," said U-UAZ Managing Director Leonid Belykh. "I am convinced that our equipment is reliable, and that pilots are highly skilled. The certificate issued by the representatives of the Russian Book of Records confirms that."
The helicopter was certified according to Category A, which provides for meeting the most stringent requirements to flight safety specified for civilian helicopters. Depending on what the operator needs, Mi-171A2 helicopter can perform search and rescue missions, medical transportation, cargo operations, fight fires or carry passengers day and night, at temperatures from -50°C to + 50°C, in high mountains, in a desert, in tropical and Arctic climate. The helicopter can make long non-stop flights. Mi-171A2 helicopter was certified in India and Colombia. It is planned to validate the Mi-171A2 type certificate in China, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and other countries.
The Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant is one of the manufacturing facilities owned by Russian Helicopters holding company. The Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant's current industrial and technological potential allows swiftly arranging production of new aircraft types and combining prototype construction with mass production. During the 80 years of operation, more than 8,500 aircraft have been built at the plant. Currently, the plant specialises in the production of Mi-8AMT (Mi-171E), Mi-171, Мi-171А2, and Mi-8AMTSh (Mi-171Sh) helicopters.
JSC “Russian Helicopters”, a part of Rostec State Corporation, is a leading player in the global helicopter industry, the sole Russian designer and manufacturer of helicopters. The Holding Company was established in 2007 and is headquartered in Moscow. We operate five helicopter assembly plants, two design bureaus, component production and maintenance enterprises, aircraft repair plants and one helicopter service company providing after-sales support in Russia and abroad. The customers of the Holding Company are the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Home Affairs, EMERCOM of Russia, and other state customers, Gazpromavia, UTair Aviation company, large Russian and foreign companies.
State Corporation Rostec is one of the largest industrial companies in Russia. It unites more than 800 scientific and industrial organizations in 60 regions of the country. Its key areas of activity are transport engineering, electronics, medical technology, chemistry and innovative materials. Rostec holdings form three clusters: electronics, weapons and aviation. The corporation’s portfolio includes such well-known brands as AvtoVAZ, KAMAZ, Kalashnikov, Russian Helicopters, Uralvagonzavod and others. Rostec is active in the implementation of all 12 national projects. The company is a key provider of Smart City technology, it is engaged in the digitalization of public administration, industry and social sectors, and it is developing plans for the development of 5G wireless technologies, an Industrial Internet of Things, big data and blockchain systems. Rostec partners with leading world manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, Daimler, Pirelli and Renault. The corporation’s products are delivered to more than 100 countries worldwide. Almost a third of the company's revenue comes from the export of high-tech products.