13-Mar-2014 Source: UTair
UTair Aviation launched operations with its newest Mi-8AMT helicopter, the 37th to join the fleet. The helicopter was delivered as part of the contract between UTair and the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, now part of Russian Helicopters, signed in 2011.
The new passenger helicopter is equipped with modern pilot instrumentation and navigational devices extending its operating potential. The helicopter comes equipped with the multifunctional GPS/GLONASS system, a ground proximity early warning system and an onboard oxygen supply station that offer maximum flight safety during operations. The rotorcraft also have additional thermal and acoustic isolation, heat and ventilation systems as well quality passenger seating for a more comfortable flight experience.
“The Mi-8 ATM helicopters successfully meet the needs of commercial flight operations for domestic contracts and UTair operations abroad,” said President of UTair Helicopter Services Alexey Vinogradov. “These Russian aircraft are also employed on UN missions and are able to complete tasks in particularly harsh climates and conditions thanks to their high reliability, easy maintenance and ability to function under temperatures ranging from -50º C to +50º C. UTair Aviation hopes to continue this important partnership with Russian Helicopters and is ready to expand its fleet with Russian-made rotorcraft.”
“UTair Aviation is a long-term partner of Russian Helicopters and one of our major clients,” said Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant Managing Director Leonid Belykh. “The specifications and feedback from the operator are of the highest priority for us. We are flexible with our production and aim to offer the latest innovative solutions for our customers. For instance, we are currently developing a new multipurpose Mi-171A2 helicopter. We are applying the most advanced technological solutions in its design that allow us to significantly improve performance. The new aircraft will soon be available to UTair and our other partners.”
UTair Aviation is Russia’s largest helicopter operator and a leader on the global helicopter services market. The UTair fleet of rotary aircraft consists of more than 350 Russian and foreign made helicopters and has the largest cargo capacity worldwide. The UTair fleet includes Mi-8 helicopters in T, MTB, AMT, and 171 configurations as well as Mi-26, Ka-32, AS-350/355, AW-139, BO-105 and Robinson R-44 rotorcraft. UTair Aviation crews are trained professionals able to complete missions of any difficulty in more than 30 countries around the world.
UTair Helicopter Services performs passenger and cargo operations, VIP-transport, and offshore missions. UTair customers include major domestic oil and gas companies such as Surgutneftegas, Gazprom Neft, Sibur, Rosneft, Gazprom, Lukoil, TNK-BP, and Shell as well as the local governments of the Khanty-Mansiysk, Yamalo-Nenets and Tyumen regions.
The Mi-8AMT was developed by the Mil Helicopter Plant, now part of Russian Helicopters, and represents a profoundly modernized modification of the famous Mi-8/17 helicopter. The multipurpose Mi-8AMT helicopters are compatible with a wide variety of missions, including patrolling, firefighting, search and rescue operations, surveillance operations and passenger and cargo transport, particularly in remote areas. The functionality of the Mi-8AMT has continually expanded due to regular design upgrades that enable the aircraft to achieve an increasingly broader range of difficult tasks. As of today, more than 12,000 helicopters of the Mi-8/17 family have been produced for customers in more than 100 countries of the world.
The UTair Group includes airlines conducting passenger and cargo operations with fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft as well as enterprises offering MRO, personnel training, flight services and air transportation sales services. UTair Aviation is the Group’s core enterprise and includes UTair-Express, UTair-Ukraine, UTair-Cargo, UTair Helicopter Services, Turuhan Airlines, Vostok Airlines, Katekavia, Helisur, UTair Europe, UTair South Africa, UTair India, UTair-Technik, UTair-Engineering, Ural Aviation Services, UТair-TG, UTair-Armenia and other enterprises. UTair Group headquarters are situated in Surgut. Subsidiaries are located in Surgut, Tyumen, Khanty-Mansyisk, Moscow and in other cities in Russia and world.
