India-based SkyOne Airways has sent a second group to start an advanced professional retraining programme for a new type of Mi-171A2 helicopter. The course takes place at the aviation training centre of the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, a division of Russian Helicopters Holding Company, and includes theoretical training, as well as simulator and flight training. Earlier, at the beginning of 2021, specialists from the General Directorate of Civil Aviation of India had conducted a preliminary inspection of the training centre and a group of SkyOne pilots and engineering staff undertook Mi-172 operations and maintenance training alongside.

As part of this programme, SkyOne's rotorcraft commander and co-pilot will spend 12 hours in the cabin of the Mi-171A2 helicopter. They will study the aerodynamics, design and technical operation, its aviation and radio-electronic equipment, as well as the VK-2500PS-03 engine with digital control system and auxiliary power unit. The training also covers flight deck resource management, aviation communications and radiotelephony, as well as actions in non-standard and emergency situations and preparation for flights with the removal of the helicopter from difficult spatial positions.

The theoretical training lasts for 170 hours and each pilot receives more than nine hours of flight training.

"When training flight personnel, special attention is paid to the procedure and rules for operating the helicopter cockpit and its systems, the peculiarities of the piloting technique, aerodynamics and dynamics of the helicopter flight," says Russian Helicopters general director Nikolai Kolesov.

SkyOne Airways crew members will receive certificates confirming their completion of the course.