The Mi-171A3, developed by Russian Helicopters holding for offshore operations, began flight tests. The first stationary flight lasted 15 minutes and passed normally, all systems demonstrated stable operation.
As Rostec reports, during the flight, the crew consisting of senior test pilot Alexander Klimov and test pilot Vladimir Kutanin performed a series of short vertical maneuvers, as well as turns and movements of the helicopter in all directions at various speeds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlJcD9JD1ao
«The modern and competitive Mi-171A3 helicopter was developed in record time: the state contract for the development of a helicopter modification designed for flights to offshore drilling platforms was signed by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade with the holding company in 2020. The total amount of state support for the project is one billion rubles (over $13 million),» said Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
Development of the Mi-171A3 began in 2018. The helicopter is fully compliant with IOGP (International Association of Oil and Gas Producers) standards and meets increasing requirements to ensure safe flights over the water surface.
The Mi-171A3 was designed digitally, which made it possible to form a broad industrial cooperation on the scale of Russian Helicopters holding, taking into account the established centers of excellence. Several parts of the airframe are manufactured at the Kazan Helicopters plant, the Far Eastern enterprise AAK «Progress» and the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, where the final assembly of the helicopter is also being carried out.
The new aircraft is expected to be in great demand both among domestic enterprises of the fuel and energy complex and abroad. The market size for the new offshore helicopter is estimated at about 100 machines by 2035.
The Mi-171A3 has unique transport capabilities in its class: the maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is 13,000 kg, the number of passengers carried is up to 24 persons and the maximum flight range is 1000 km. The helicopter is designed to operate in all types of weather conditions, including maritime, tropical and cold climates, in the ambient temperature range from -50°C to +50°C.
The Mi-171A3’s onboard equipment will provide automatic and manual control of the helicopter at all stages of flight, from takeoff to landing, with the possibility of automatic piloting both on air routes and in unregulated airspace, regardless of the degree of ground radio aids and navigation support.
