Russian Mi-38 medium-lift helicopter flies higher than 28,000 feet to set new helicopter altitude record
DRAKINO AIRBASE, Russia, 28 Aug. 2012. The Russian Mi-38 medium-lift helicopter set a new world altitude record Sunday, as the helicopter climbed higher than 28,215 feet on the final day of the 14th FAI World Helicopter Championship at the Drakino Airbase in Russia south of Moscow, say officials of Russian Helicopters JSC in Moscow, part of Russian state defence holding Oboronprom.
The Mi-38, one of the latest Russian helicopter models from Russian Helicopters designed for cargo and passenger transportation, set a world record in the E1h class for helicopters that weigh 22,046 to 44,092 pounds.
Setting the record were test pilots from Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, part of Russian Helicopters. The team was led by captain Vladimir Kutanin, and also included Salavat Sadriev (second pilot), Oleg Repitilo (navigator) and Igor Klevantsev (Air Force chief flight test engineer).
The previous record of 27,887 feet also was set by Russian pilots during a test flight, Russian Helicopters officials say.
The multi-role Mi-38 is to transport cargo and passengers (including VIPs), as well as for search-and-rescue, offshore operations, and as a mobile hospital. Mass production is planned to start in 2015, using either Klimov TV7-117V or Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127/TS engines.
The Mi-38 is fitted with emergency on-water landing equipment, and can be operated day and night, in all weather, and in temperatures from -50 to 60 degrees Celsius. The helicopter's avionics suite meets Russian AP-29, European JAR-29 and American FAR-29 standards.
The 14th World Helicopter Championship hosted teams from 11 Austria, Belarus, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
For more information contact the FAI World Helicopter Championships online at http://14whc2012.org, or Russian Helicopters at www.russianhelicopters.aero.
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John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
