15-Jul-2014 Source: Russian Helicopters
Russian-built Mi-8/17 helicopters received plaudits from experts during a round table on local and regional aviation in the Russian Far North in early July. The event was attended by the head of the Nenets Autonomous Region, Igor Koshin, as well as national aviation experts and representatives of equipment producers, operators and clients for aviation equipment.
“We have operated the Mi-8MTV since 1990, and since then have clocked up more than 40,000 flight-hours,” said Valery Ostapchuk, CEO of Naryan-Mar United Air Detachment. “There have been no engine failures and no gearbox breakdowns. It is a wonderful helicopter and extremely reliable.”
Naryan-Mar United Air Detachment is one of the largest helicopter operators in North-West Russia, and runs flights between settlements in the Nenets Autonomous Region along a 1,200 km stretch of the Arctic Ocean. The company runs passenger and cargo services, and operates search-and-rescue and medevac missions as well as providing medical care to local people. It also operates flights to ships at sea and offshore drilling platforms, and provides aerial photography and pipeline monitoring services. To develop its fleet, Naryan-Mar United Air Detachment plans to acquire four new Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters produced by Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec.
The Mi-8/17 series is associated with many of the achievements and outstanding chapters in the history of Naryan-Mar United Air Detachment. In October 1994, for example, it was only thanks to an Mi-8MTV1 that it was possible to rescue everyone on board the Yakhroma after the vessel foundered in a storm in the Barents Sea. The pilot and rescue crew were awarded state honours for their roles in the mission.
The legendary Mi-8/17 series is renowned around the world and is in constant demand. These helicopters are used for medical purposes and search-and-rescue missions, to transport cargo and passengers, and in forest and aqua-conservation efforts. The capabilities of Mi-8/17 series helicopters are constantly expanding thanks to upgrades and the use of the latest equipment, which makes these reliable and economically efficient machines able to cope with even the most complex missions. More than 12,000 Mi-8/17 helicopters have been produced to date and delivered to a hundred countries around the world.
Russian Helicopters, JSC is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of State Corporation Rostec. It is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. Over 8000 helicopters of Soviet/Russian make are operated in 110 countries worldwide. Traditionally the demand is highest in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Russia, and CIS countries. Russian Helicopters was established in 2007. In 2013 its IFRS revenues increased 10% to RUB 138.3 billion. Deliveries reached 275 helicopters.
UIC Oboronprom, JSC is a multi-profile industrial and investment group established in 2002. It is a part of Russian Technologies State Corporation. Its main tasks include: helicopter engineering (Russian Helicopters, JSC) and engine-building (United Engine Industry Corporation managing company).
State Corporation “Rostekhnologii” (Rostec) is a Russian corporation founded in 2007 for the purpose of promoting the development, production and export of hi-tech civilian and military industry products. It comprises 663 organizations, nine of which have now been formed as holding companies of the military-industrial complex and five of them are involved in civil industries. Rostec’s organizations are located in 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and supply their products to the markets of more than 70 countries. The revenue of Rostec in 2013 amounted to RUB 1, 04 trillion, with net profit of RUB 40 billion. The tax deductions into the treasuries at all levels exceeded RUB 138 billion.