Crews from Kazakhstan have undergone training on the Mi-171A2 helicopter at the Aviation Training Center of Russian Helicopters' Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. Training took place as part of the contract to supply the first Mi-171A2 for the country, delivered in early 2019. Trainees subsequently reported its good aerobatic qualities, stable flight performance and the almost complete absence of vibration in all modes.

“The company aviation training centre was validated in 2019 by the civil aviation authority of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” says U-UAZ managing director Leonid Belykh. “According to the aviation regulations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, pilots from this country must retake their qualifications every year in order to maintain flight safety. Quarterly training is planned on the Mi-171A2 simulator.”

He also notes that: “More than 90 per cent of aircraft deliveries are accompanied by a training offer for crews.”

During training, special attention is paid to the order and rules of operation of cockpit equipment and systems; aviation communications and radiotelephony; and flight operations. The programme includes study of the aircraft design, flight operation and electronic equipment, including the new power plant, a twin VK-2500PS-03 engine with a digital control system such as FADEC, and an auxiliary power plant.

Upon completion of training, successful candidates are issued with a certificate.