Published: 9/25/1998

Displayed at the recent Farnborough'98 air show was the second prototype ANSAT light helicopter, a product of Kazan Helicopters enterprise based in the Tatarstan Republic. This aircraft, shown publicly for the first time, is fitted with a fly-by-wire control system. At MAKS'97 in August last year the company displayed the first prototype ANSAT, which has conventional controls, although neither aircraft has yet flown. Currently, the first aircraft is structurally complete and has been fully equipped with essential systems and avionics, Marat Ayupov, public relations manager with Kazan Helicopters, told ConCISe. He added that the company's flight test centre has already performed electrical checks on the aircraft, and is currently conducting powerplant trials, including propeller rotation tests. The first prototype is due to make its maiden flight in November, and the first phase of the flight-test programme should be completed by the end of the year. By that time the second prototype will be ready to fly, Ayupov said. It might be fitted with a western autopilot and avionics in place of the current mixture of Russian and foreign instruments seen at Farnborough. With a take-off weight of 3,000kg, the ANSAT is designed to carry nine people or 1,500kg of cargo. Priced at $1.7-1.8m, it is aimed primarily for export. However, the company also hopes to sell it to the Russian Army, which needs a light utility helicopter with low operational costs. Among scale models on display at the joint Mil/Kazan Helicopters stand at Farnborough, there was an armed version of the ANSAT in Russian Army markings. The ANSAT represents a new milestone in the history of Russian helicopter-building. It is the first model ever designed not by a specialised design bureau, but a mass- production plant. Furthermore, it has been designed "on the screen", using modern Russian and foreign computer-aided design systems. Being orientated primarily on export, the helicopter features many western components, including two Pratt & Whitney Canada PK206D engines, a special version of the PW206 tailored to Kazan Helicopters' requirements. According to Ayupov, the Canadian company has delivered four such engines, which have been fitted to the first two ANSAT prototypes. In the future, engines for series-built ANSATs will be assembled in Russia by Pratt & Whitney Rus joint venture based in St.Petersburg. The engines drive a hingeless main rotor featuring a rigid attachment of composite blades, giving the helicopter a cruise speed of 24 km/h and top speed of 290km/h. Ayupov said that the Mi-8 and its derivative Mi17, the major products of Kazan Helicopters, continue to sell readily on the international market. He said that approximately 90% of all sales in the last five years were to foreign clients. In August, Kazan Helicopters delivered two Mi-17-1Vs to a Malaysian customer. These are fitted with special equipment, and be used primarily in fire-fighting role. (IN998.9) (VK)

Article ID: 278