Russian Helicopter Holding (a part of Rostec state corporation) has obtained the type certificate from Federal Air Transport Agency of the Russian Federation (Rosaviatsiya) for Mi-171A2 multi-purpose helicopter in convertible version. The issued document opens up the possibility to launch deliveries of the helicopter to commercial customers.

The helicopter is going to be shown to the Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin during his scheduled visit to Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant today.

The aircraft type certificate attests that the Mi-171A2, developed by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, is feasible to carry passengers and cargoes safely day and night under visual and adverse weather conditions, as well as over water surface, both VFR and IFR flights. Moreover, the document approves capability to operate the helicopter on international airlines. The certification paves the way for serial production of the Mi-171A2 and deliveries to commercial customers.

The Mi-171A2 is certified as per "A" category, which specifies compliance with the strictest requirements for civil helicopters flight safety. In particular, one of the requirements is ability to continue take-off with maximum take-off weight with one engine inoperative.

"Obtaining the certificate is one of the most important events of the project, and it means possibility to start deliveries of this helicopter to commercial customers. The Mi-171A2 offers exciting possibilities to renew helicopter fleets for national and foreign operators, having experience in the operation of the helicopters of Mi-8/17 family," underlined CEO of Russian Helicopters Andrei Boginsky.

The Mi-171A2 flight tests, which involved four prototype aircrafts, have begun in 2014. Another two prototypes were engaged in static tests. Since early 2017 the Mi-171A2 has made more than 200 flights.

The result of this work was completion of the tests under six programs with drawing up of additional certification test acts. At MAKS-2017 airshow the helicopter performed eight demonstration flights without discontinuing the test program.

The Mi-171A2 is the result of deep modernization of the worldwide renowned helicopter of the Mi-8/Mi-17 family. At the time of creation of the Mi-171A2 there was a task to reduce costs of helicopter operation, increase its performance and achieve their compliance to tight modern airworthiness standards for civil aircrafts. More than 80 changes have been integrated relative to the basic model in to the Mi-171A2's structure. The helicopter is equipped with VK-2500PS-03 engines (civil version of the engines being fitted on the combat Mi-28 helicopters) with digital control system. Because of increased engine power the transmission was reinforced. Application of digital flight/navigation suite with display data imaging allows to reduce the aircrew to two members. Integration of the health and usage monitoring system to the avionics has increased the helicopter robustness and enabled to reduce labor hours for its maintenance.

One of the main differences of the Mi-171A2 from the helicopters of the Mi-8/Mi-17 family is a new rotor system. The helicopter is fitted with a more efficient X-shaped tail rotor and new main rotor with all-composite blades of advanced aerodynamic configuration. As the result the Mi-171A2's main rotor thrust has increased by more than 700 kg just due to the aerodynamics, thus improving the whole flight performance. The serial production of the Mi-171A2 is launched at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.