Russian Helicopters Holding Company has completed validation of the type certificate for the Ansat light multipurpose helicopter in the People's Republic of China. The validation of the type certificate by the Chinese aviation authorities allows the company to commence the supplies of Ansat helicopters to China under a previously concluded contract.

At Airshow China 2018 Russian Helicopters signed a contract for supplying 20 Ansat helicopters to the Chinese Emergency and Disaster Relief Association.

“The Chinese market is much larger than the Russian market, even taking into account the Eurasian Economic Union. Thus, China is an important potential market for us, and we may sell several hundred helicopters. However, first we should ensure after-sales service, and we are also doing that now. Development will give us more opportunities and chances in terms of equipment supply, because the helicopter price is very competitive,” states Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov.

“Validation of the Ansat certificate in China was a result of cooperation by specialists from Rostec, Russian Helicopters, Kazan Helicopters, our selectors and the aviation authorities of Russia and China. We are ready to commence the supplies this year. I am convinced that Ansat operations in China will promote the sales of the helicopter in other countries in the region, which are also expressing interest in this modern and reliable rotorcraft,” notes director general of Russian Helicopters Holding Company Andrey Boginsky.

Throughout November and December 2018 Ansat took part in a Russian Helicopters demonstration tour in southeast Asia. The helicopter flew over 5,000 kilometres on its own, having made demonstration flights in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

The light multipurpose Ansat helicopter was designed by the Kazan Helicopters design office. The rotorcraft has two engines, and can be used for passenger and VIP transport, cargo delivery, environmental monitoring, and as an air medical helicopter. High-altitude tests of Ansat have been successfully completed, which confirmed the possibility of its operation in mountainous terrain at altitudes up to 3,500 metres. The helicopter can be operated in a temperature range between -45 and +50 degrees Celsius.

Russian Helicopters Holding has also received approval from Rosaviatsiya to start producing Ansat helicopters equipped with the Aurus branded VIP cabin. This will allow mass production and deliveries of this Ansat modification to begin.

Certification testing of Ansat Aurus design were successfully completed in early February 2020. The certification tests were aimed at assessing the performance of the equipment in the cabin of the helicopter and electromagnetic compatibility with avionics.

The cabin layout consists of two seats for VIP passengers and three seats for accompanying persons. To achieve optimum ergonomic design, the cabin was developed using both computer modelling and testing with people of various anthropometric parameters. The Ansat helicopter has the largest cabin in its class. Combined with the design, this provides maximum passenger comfort.

“The Ansat is a universal helicopter that has proven itself in several different fields. High reliability, ease of maintenance, compact size and a spacious cabin make the Ansat one of the best helicopters for passenger transportation. The modified certificate, which allows serial production of a helicopter with a VIP cabin in the style of the Aurus brand to start, opens up new prospects for its operation,” explains Oleg Yevtushenko executive director of Rostec Corporation.

“The Ansat Aurus design will get its first operator very soon, and the interest shown in this helicopter at the MAKS air show allows us to hope for new orders. The use of best domestic technologies and materials, as well as the attention to detail, are the hallmarks of the Aurus brand, and we, with our colleagues from FSUE NAMI, have worked hard to create the design of the Ansat helicopter in the best traditions of this brand. The helicopter possesses excellent flight performance characteristics and provides an uncompromising level of flight safety,” adds Boginsky.

The Ansat Aurus design project was carried out by specialists of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise NAMI, the leading Russian scientific organisation in the field of automotive development, and a designer and manufacturer of a line of luxury cars under the Aurus brand. The first demonstration Ansat helicopter in Aurus brand style was held at the static exposition of Russian Helicopters as part of MAKS-2019 air show. During the show, the model was examined by the Russian president Vladimir Putin and the president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The light multipurpose Ansat helicopter was designed by the Kazan Helicopter Plant's design bureau. It is equipped with two engines and can be used for normal passenger and VIP transport, cargo delivery, environmental monitoring and as an air medical helicopter. High-altitude tests of Ansat have been successfully completed, which confirmed the possibility of its operation in mountainous terrain at altitudes up to 3,500 metres. The helicopter can be operated in a temperature range between -45 and +50 degrees Celsius.