Vityaz-Aero Airlines has taken delivery of an Mi-8AMT helicopter from Russian Helicopters subsidiary the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. The aircraft will expand the operator’s existing model range and will be the first Mi-8AMT helicopter in its fleet. The helicopter has already arrived at its permanent base, Kamchatka in Russia's far east.

The Mi-8AMT will be used for flights over the Pacific Ocean to the Commander and Kuril Islands, as well as to remote and inaccessible areas of the Kamchatka Peninsula.

“Mi-8AMT helicopters are in demand today among Russian operators: they are distinguished by their reliability, versatility, unpretentiousness in maintenance and affordable prices in comparison with competitors. They have proven themselves well in various climatic conditions including when operating in high humidity, low temperatures, strong winds and fog, and this is of great importance for the Kamchatka airline,” says Ulan-Ude MD Leonid Belykh.

The rotorcraft was handed over to the operator in cargo configuration. It has been modified for the installation of a side boom with a winch, with a lifting capacity of up to 300 kg and installation of an external cable suspension for the carriage of goods weighing up to four tonnes.

In addition, the helicopter has folding seats for transporting up to 27 people, as well as places for the installation of additional fuel tanks, which allow flights over distances of more than 1,000 km.

Vityaz-Aero Airlines provides tourist and passenger transportation, including delivering skiers in the heli-skiing discipline to heights of up to 4.5 kilometres. Mi-8 helicopters perform ambulance flights and take part in emergency response. The Vityaz-Aero aircraft fleet includes more than 20 Mi-8 helicopters in various versions; existing helicopters perform the work using external sling and cargo winches.

This development follows the delivery of a Mi-8MTV-1 to Vityaz-Aero in June.