The Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant Cup got underway at 10:30am this morning when a procession of helicopters rose into the sky over the runway of the National Helicopter-Building Centre in Tomilino near Moscow.

Seven crews started the competition, which is timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Russia’s Air Forces, the 65th anniversary of the Mil plant and the opening of the ninth Gidroaviasalon international exhibition.

During a short briefing before the start pilots were given their flight tasks, familiarised with the route and given necessary instruction.

Over four days, helicopters of various makes – Mi, Robinson, Bell and Gazelle — will navigate a course totalling 1,400km, with stopovers in Voronezh, Rostov on Don and Krasnodar on September 4-6. The route finishes in Gelendzhik, the location for Gidroaviasalon-2012, during which the winners will be crowned.

The organisers of the competition – Russian Helicopters, the Helicopter Industry Association and JSC Russian Helicopter Systems – and sponsors the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and Oboronprom believe that the event will increase the prestige of the aviation profession among young people and help to popularise helicopter sport.