Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Russian defence industry state holding company Oboronprom, today delivered the multi-role coaxial Ka-32A11BC helicopter to Brazilian operator Helipark Taxi Aereo.

The delivery was completed within the timeframe agreed in the contract that the parties signed in December 2010. The acquisition of the Ka-32A11BC – the first by a Brazilian helicopter operator – is a pilot project as Helipark Taxi Aereo seeks to diversify its fleet.

In November 2010, Atlas Taxi Aereo acquired two Russian-made Mi-171A1 transport helicopters, which also have Brazilian type certification, for use in the services it provides to Brazilian oil company Petrobras.

Helipark Taxi Aero plans to use the Ka-32A11BC for commercial transport of external freight loads to inaccessible regions of Brazil’s Amazon basin. The helicopter is also expected to be involved in construction work to develop the country’s infrastructure as part of preparations for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

Russian Helicopters CEO Dmitry Petrov said: “The Ka-32A11BC will make its Brazilian debut in our joint project with Helipark Taxi Aereo. The reliability and efficiency of this unique aircraft and its deserved popularity around the world give us reason to be optimistic about the future growth for the Ka-32A11BC in Brazil, which has the largest helicopter fleet in South America.”

The Ka-32A11BC has been granted type certification in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Since 2011 it has been certificated in Brazil and India, and since 2009 in Europe (EASA.IM.R.133 certification). The Ka-32A11BC was granted type certification in China, Indonesia and South Korea in 2008, in Chile in 2007 and in Mexico in 2005. In 2006, the helicopter was granted additional airworthiness certification allowing it to carry passengers (certification was originally granted by Canada in 1998).

The Ka-32A11BC is a multi-role version of the Ka-32. It is unique in its ability to carry loads on an external sling and as a “flying crane” in the construction of high-rise buildings. The Ka-32A11BC’s coaxial rotors have a number of advantages in hover accuracy and maneuverability, 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 Ka-32A11BC will be on show at the upcoming FIDAE 2012 international air show in Chile, where Russian Helicopters showed the latest Russian helicopter technology designed for use in the hot, wet and high-altitude climates of South and Central America. Visitors to the company’s stand (D41) will have a chance to see the multirole Ka-32A11BC and Mi-171A1, the light Ka-226T, Ansat and Mi-34C1, the heavyweight Mi-26T2, and the company’s upcoming projects, the Ka-62, Mi-171A2, Mi-38 and Mi-26T2.