Russian Helicopters has received type certification for the medium multirole Mi-38 transport helicopter designed by its Mil Moscow Hel...
Russian Helicopters has received type certification for the medium multirole Mi-38 transport helicopter designed by its Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant.
The new helicopter which can carry up to 30 passengers, sits between the legendary Mi-8/17 weighing up to 13,000 kg and the world's heaviest lifting Mi-26 helicopter weight up to 56,000 kg.
The certification was presented by the head of the Federal Air Transportation Agency Alexander Neradko to Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheev during a ceremony at Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant on 30 December.
The commercial helicopter has been designed to Russian AP-29 standards, which equate to CS-29 standards in Europe and FAR-29 in the US.
With a 15,600 kg maximum take off weight, the Mi-38 can cruise at 285 kmph and have a operational ceiling of 5900 m. Range varies from 420 to 1200 km with a cargo of 5000 kg to 2700 kg respectively.
The Mi-38 will enter serial production in 2016, followed by maiden delivery. The first fuselage for the serial-production model has already been assembled at Kazan Helicopters.
Flight certification testing of the Mi-38 involved two prototypes (the third and fourth) powered by two Klimov TV7-117V turboshaft engines rated with 2800 hp at take off.
The Mi-38 is fitted with an integrated IBKO-38 avionics system that displays data on five LCD screens.
It is one of the most highly automated commercial helicopters in the world, with on-board systems that allow automatic navigation along a pre-set course, as well as automated landing, hovering and stabilisation in various flight modes.
The Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant has created 12 basic models of helicopter, including the Mi-8/17, Mi-35M, Mi-26, Mi-28, Mi-38 and numerous modifications. Mil-helicopters are in operation in 110 countries worldwide and form the backbone of helicopter aviation in Russia, the CIS, as well as in countries in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.
