The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) has validated the type certificate for Mi-171A2 helicopter, which is manufactured at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, belonging to the Russian Helicopters holding company.
Validation of Mi-171A2 certificate confirms the compliance of its design with local flight safety requirements and authorizes its use in the Republic of Korea.
´South Korea is the largest foreign operator of Ka-32 helicopter and also has a successful track record of using Mi-8/17 in police operations. Validation of the Mi-171A2 certificate proves that the country has high demand and trust in Russian helicopter designs. I am confident that our Korean partners will appreciate the outstanding flight performance and modern on-board equipment of Mi-171A2; negotiations about its delivery are already under way´, said the Director General of Russian Helicopters Andrey Boginsky.
The first Mi-171A2 for a foreign operator was already delivered to a customer in the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition, the type certificate for this helicopter has been validated by the aviation authorities of India and Colombia. In the nearest future, certification is planned in China, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and several other countries.
The modern, high performance VK-2500 engines used in Mi-171A2 provide the new possibilities for operation in high-mountain and high-temperature regions. The maximum and cruise speed on Mi-171A2 was increased by 10% due to improved aerodynamic profile, new main rotor with all-composite blades and X-shaped tail rotor. The load capacity was also increased by 25%, comparing with the standards of Mi-8/17 helicopter family.
Mi-171A2 is equipped with a modern ´glass cockpit´ avionics suite, reducing the crew to two persons. Video cameras provide a better view during external load operations and the rotorcraft was also equipped with modern terrain awareness and warning device, airborne and obstacle collision avoidance systems. The new Mi-171A2 is capable to perform operations during the day and night, with the temperature range from -50°C to + 50°C.
Photos courtesy of JSC “Russian Helicopters” / Rostec State Corporation. “Russian Helicopters” press materials were used.
