Press Release

Issued by Russian Helicopters, JSC.

August 27, 2019

Russian Helicopters Holding Company, apart of Rostec State Corporation, has presented the first serial Mi-38 helicopter with a highly comfortable cabin at the MAKS-2019 airspace show.

The Mi-38 helicopter made by the Kazan Helicopter Plant will be presented at a static exposition. It will also take part in the flight programme forming part of the airspace show by making a flight with other civilian aircraft made by Russian Helicopters. Pre-production prototypes of Mi-38 had been previously demonstrated at MAKS. They took part in the certification flight test programme. Additionally, the Mi-38T military transport helicopter based on the certified civilian Mi-38 helicopter will take part in the flight programme of the exhibition for the first time.

Several changes to the design of the Mi-38 helicopter have been made: these are improved aerodynamic contours of the fuselage and cowling of a propulsion unit, main rotor spinners and aswashplate. The engines have been placed behind the main rotor transmission instead of their traditional placement in front of it. This has allowed a reduction in aerodynamic resistance and noise levels in the cockpit, and increased the safety of the machine.

"The Mi-38 is a new achievement in the Russian helicopter industry. Due to its performance, cost-effectiveness, flight range and cargo transportation capabilities this helicopter is an extremely interesting one in terms of commercial operations and for state customers. Currently, certification tests of the Mi-38 helicopter with its highly comfortable cabin have been completed, and we are ready to begin to supply these machines: we are conducting negotiations with a leasing company now," said director general of Russian Helicopters Holding Company Andrey Boginsky.

A passenger version of the Mi-38 can accommodate up to 30 passengers, and up to eight passengers if this is a version with a highly comfortable cabin. The flight range of the new helicopter is up to 1,300 kilometres (with additional fuel tanks). The Mi-38, whose maximum takeoff weight is 15.6 tonnes, can carry five tonnes of payload on board or on an external sling.

It can be operated in a wide range of climatic conditions including maritime, tropical and cold climates. Owing to unique technical solutions, Mi-38 is superior to other helicopters of its class in weight lifting capacity, passenger capacity and main aircraft performance characteristics.