Russian Air Force gets Mi-26 heavy helicopters

Two Mil Mi-26 heavy transport helicopters have entered the Russian air fleet. The two helicopters were supplied on orders from the Eastern Military District.

The Mil Mi-26 is the largest and most powerful helicopter ever to have gone into production. It can carry up to 20 tons of cargo to a range of more than 800 kilometers.

The Russian Air Force has also been provided with the upgraded version of the Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter which can be used for civilian needs as well.

Source: Oleg Nekhai, 16 December 2011 - Voice of Russia News (www.english.ruvr.ru)

Photo: Russian Air Force Mil Mi-26 heavy transport helicopter  (Photo by RIA Novosti)

Photo Story: UTair suspends Mi-26 operations

UTair, the world's largest operator of the Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter, has suspended operations of the type in Russian and abroad.

The company is carrying out inspections on the tail booms of the aircraft  to assess the possibility of structural defects. It follows an accident involving a UTair Mi-26 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area of Russia on 20 December in which one crew member was killed. The helicopter rolled over and caught fire.

The accident is under investigation by the authorities.

UTair says aircraft operations will re-start depending on the outcomes of the inspections on each aircraft and are expected to take several days.

'Safety is a top priority of the company,' the airline said in a statement and it hopes that customers will understand the reasons for the downtime.

(By Tony Osborne in London, Kan., 21 December 2011- Shephard Group / Rotorhub News(www.shephardmedia.com))

(21.12.2011)