Kazan Helicopters of Russian Helicopters holding company (part of Rostec State Corporation) supplied the first Ansat helicopter and multipurpose Mi-17-1V to the Republic of Turkmenistan. Both helicopters will be used in the new International Burn Center to provide medevac for the injured and seriously ill patients.
A contract for supplying Ansat and Mi-17-1V helicopters was signed between Kazan Helicopters and Turkmenistan Airlines on March 31, 2020. In accordance with the contract, both helicopters are supplied to Turkmenistan in a versatile version with medical modules and medical equipment, and there are additional anti-burn sets. The rotorcraft is equipped with air conditioning systems.
Mi-17-1V has additional fuel tanks to provide for longer flights. The helicopter also has SLG-300 hoist system, a landing and search light and external sling which can carry large cargo up to 4 tonnes.
“Supplying the first Ansat helicopter to Turkmenistan is an important milestone in the development of Kazan Helicopters’ export potential. We hope that high performance of Ansat will be appreciated, and this supply will be the start of our future cooperation. Ansat and Mi-8/17 helicopters have proved their efficiency during sanitary operations in Russia. We are happy to share expertise with our colleagues from Turkmenistan and supply the most modern equipment to them,” stated Managing Director of Kazan Helicopters Alexey Belykh.
Under the contract with Turkmenistan Airlines, Kazan Helicopters’ Training Center has trained 30 pilots engineers and technical specialists of an operator. The program comprises theory and practice, including training using the new Ansat simulator. The trainees successfully completed training and got certificates.
Kazan Helicopters has cooperated with Turkmenistan for many years. In 2009-2015 the country received 11 helicopters made by Kazan Helicopters.
Ansat is a light multipurpose twin-engine helicopter serial production of which is deployed at Kazan Helicopters. Its design allows converting it into a cargo version or into a passenger rotorcraft that can lift up to seven people. Ansat is certified for use in the temperatures ranging between -45°С and +50°С, and in high mountains. In 2019, the Federal Air Transport Agency certified an increase in the airworthiness of Ansat’s fuselage to 16,000 flying hours. In 2020 Russian aviation authorities certified Ansat for installation of an emergency floatation system, a complex for transporting newborn babies, and isolation units for transporting patients with coronavirus disease.
Multipurpose Mi-8/17 helicopters are characterized by unique performance and operation. The design and equipment of Mi-8/17 helicopters allow operating them with autonomous deployment on sites which have no special equipment, and in almost any climate, which is proved by many years of operating these rotorcraft on various continents.
