The Russian multi-role coaxial Ka-32A11BC helicopter was today granted a type certificate in Brazil. The certificate will allow the Ka-32A11BC operate on the Brazilian civil aviation market and perform firefighting, search and rescue, load-carrying missions, as well as handling special construction tasks in places inaccessible to traditional transport.

It is worth mentioning that in December 2010 Russian Helicopters industrial holding company, a subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation Oboronprom, JSC, signed a contract for the delivery of the multi-role Ka-32A11BC helicopter to Brazilian rotorcraft operator Helipark Taxi Aereo. Delivery is slotted for 2012. This machine will be used for commercial transportation of industrial cargo on an external sling.

The acquisition of the Ka-32A11BC was the first move by Helipark Taxi Aereo to diversify is rotorcraft fleet and the first order for this particular model from Brazilian rotorcraft operators.

The company may consider making more orders for this Russian model in the future. In this case, Russian Helicopters and Helipark Taxi Aereo may review the possibility of creating a joint Russian-Brazilian support and training centre to take care of Ka-32A11BC helicopters operated in the region.

Earlier on, in November 2010, local company Atlas Taxi Aereo purchased two Mi-171A1 transport helicopters of Russian make, also having a Brazilian type certificate.

Certification of the Ka-32A11BC in Brazil was in accordance with the outlined manufacturing and delivery plan of the helicopter and became an important milestone in performing this contract.

Today the Ka-32A11BC is certificated in major regions of the world, in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. For instance, in 2011 the helicopter received type certificates in Brazil and India, while European certification was achieved in 2009 (EASA type certificate EASA.IM.R.133). In 2008 the Ка-32А11ВС was certificated in China, Indonesia, and South Korea. In 2007 it received the Chilean certificate, and the Mexican one came as early as 2005. In 2006, the helicopter was awarded a supplement to the airworthiness certificate in Canada. which allowed it to carry corporate passengers (the Canadian certificate itself was issued back in 1998).

Ka-32 helicopters of various modifications are successfully operated in Spain, Portugal, Columbia, Switzerland, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China, and other countries. They are also operated by foreign companies under lease agreements in Brazil and Chile.

The Ка-32А11ВС is a multi-role variant of the Ка-32А. The helicopter is unique in its capability of carrying loads on an external sling and as a “flying crane” for the erection of tall structures. The coaxial rotors of the Ka-32A11BC have a number of advantages in hover accuracy and manoeuvrability, allowing it to perform complex installation and construction tasks. The Ka-32A11BC can be employed in a wide variety of tasks, including horizontal firefighting using a water cannon.

The Ка-32А11ВС was designed by the Kamov design bureau, a part of the Russian Helicopters industry holding. Mass production is based at the aviation plant in Kumertau. Over 140 have been built, and about half of these is in operation in over 30 countries worldwide.