Our domestic Mi-8 - the most popular helicopter in the world

• Our domestic Mi-8 - the most popular helicopter in the world

I've never flown in a helicopter, what's more, I do not really understand the aesthetics of helicopters, preferring aircraft. But for the first time I felt that this helicopter in action, I completely changed my mind. Maybe it is difficult to describe in words, but the degree of freedom and mobility at times more, and with the pilot point of view - management of the machine is much more complicated.

Mi-8 helicopter was developed in the USSR in the early 60-ies. Until now released more than 12 thousand cars and the helicopter is the most popular twin-engine helicopter in the world, and is also included in the list of the most popular in the history of aviation! It is of Soviet design, but it is flying on every continent of the planet. From regular civilian areas in the far north to the United Nations missions in Africa and the Middle East, from the Emergency Situations Ministry rescue tasks to military special operations. Theoretically, the helicopter can reach the level of vosmityschnikov, Mi-8Mt even set a world record: 14 minutes 09 seconds, rose to a height of 8100 meters!

Today I invite you on board the Mi-8, because even the interiors of passenger and cargo-passenger modifications may be radically different!

History

By the end of 1950 as part of the Air Force of the Soviet Union, there were already several helicopter divisions. Standing armed with a multi-purpose Mi-4 could throw behind enemy lines once 19 paratroopers, or to take on board the stretcher 8, one gun or a car. The military were satisfied with this machine, but its designer felt that it was time to machines with turbine engines. In the second half of 1950 were adopted by the mobile missile complexes "Moon", and for transferring them needed a heavy-duty helicopter. They became turbine Mi-6, is the lifting capacity of the time. Soon to replace the Mi-1 turboprop came Mi-2. It remains to replace the Mi-4, a new generation of machine. The project has received index Mi-8. At the insistence of Nikita Khrushchev customer Mi-8 by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Advanced customer strict requirements economy finally formed a unique look of the car.

In 1964, after the removal of Khrushchev, the Air Force command did not take into service the Mi-8. only a few dozen machines were purchased for testing. However, the Mi-8 was highly otsenon Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered a massive series. And soon after that helicopters had expected an unprecedented triumph.

In June 1965, the Soviet Union presented at the international air show in Le Bourget, one of the most representative exhibitions. Helicopters Mil Mi-8, Mi-6 and flying crane MI-10 caused a sensation among experts. After the air show in Le Bourget military command leadership of the USSR finally assess the merits of the Mi-8. He was used as a landing, transport, medical helicopter, flying command post, director of mines.

May 19, 2010 in Konotop passed flight tests of Mi-8 MTV with engines of the latest modifications TVZ-117VMA-SBM1V. world record was set when the helicopter in 14 minutes 09 seconds, climbed to an altitude of 8100 meters. The maximum engine power - 2000 l. from. It was maintained for 30 minutes. Featured characteristics allow confidence to fly multi-purpose helicopter Mi-8 in the mountains in the most extreme altitudes.

Engine TIZ-117VMA-SBM1V designed by Ukrainian company "Motor Sich". Ukrainian engine meets the most stringent international requirements fail-safe at high altitudes, and therefore rarefied air and drops of high-low temperatures.

In Russia, the largest operator of the Mi-8 is an airline UTair, she is Russia's largest operator of helicopter transportation. The airline's fleet is more than 220 Mi-8 helicopters of various modifications! The cost of the Mi-8 - from 14-17 million dollars, and the cost of helicopter / hour - 80-100 thousand rubles.

In the cabin

This cargo-passenger version. Here boarding passengers (22-24 persons) is carried out on the side or folding seats. In the cabin during the flight noisy, so be sure to put on the headphones:

And this is the passenger cabin on 28 seats, there is a sound and heat insulation, so headphones are not needed:

And what portholes! Almost as in the A380!

In the cockpit,

The crew consists of three people:

What is still a great level of review in the cockpit, when compared with a cabin in the aircraft.

Ob River in Surgut:

flies to Surgut airport:

Parking Mi-26, the world's largest mass-produced helicopter:

This foreign-made helicopter in the fleet UTair - the Eurocopter AS350V3 - light single-engine helicopter. This fast and comfortable car ideal for corporate purposes as well as for aerial flight, pipeline monitoring, power lines and so on. The helicopter can climb with full payload to an altitude of 7010 m and is adapted for flight in extreme conditions, in Vol. H . in the mountainous terrain and hot climate.

... and many familiar faces

pilots:

But that's not all ...

As I wrote at the beginning, the bulk of the helicopter was manufactured in the Soviet Union, but continues to be used, and a new production at the moment is small in quantitative indicators, so the Mi-8 is very important well-established repair and technical base. Fortunately, the production of helicopters, in particular modifications of the Mi-8/17, is growing every year. For example, 290 helicopters of all types were delivered in 2012, this is a very significant increase - 262 machines were delivered in 2011. Most of the helicopters delivered refers specifically to the type of Mi-8/17, which are produced by our two companies, "Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant" and "Kazan Helicopter Plant".