Kazan Helicopters, part of Russian Helicopters Holding Company, has completed testing of an Ansat helicopter equipped with an emergency floatation system. Designed for emergency water landings and to save the lives of crew and passengers, the emergency floatation system is currently in the certification phase with the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency.

The emergency floatation system includes inflatable buoyancy chambers (ballonets), two life rafts and an emergency life support package that includes a radio beacon for rescuers to determine the location of the landing. In the event of a ditching, this emergency set is designed to keep the helicopter afloat for 30 minutes, providing the crew with enough time to deploy the system’s life-saving equipment and to safely leave the helicopter.

“We are continuing our work to improve the air safety of the Ansat as it is actively used in the transportation of passengers and patients who require emergency medical assistance,” says Russian Helicopters CEO Andrey Boginsky. “Additionally, helicopters equipped with this ditching system will be able to conduct flights to oil companies' facilities located at a considerable distance from the coast and participate in search and rescue operations above water. Together with its high performance, this will make the Ansat even more attractive to fuel and energy companies and rescue service providers.”

Ansat is a light, multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Kazan Helicopters that can be converted into a cargo or seven passenger configuration. Ansat is certified for use at temperatures ranging between -45°С and +50°С.