Russian Helicopters delivers medical helicopters to leaser GTLK
The aircraft will be used to provide HEMS service services across Russia
Manufacturer Russian Helicopters announced the delivery of four medical helicopters to the State Transport and Leasing Company (GTLK) on 3 December.
The batch includes three Mi-8 MTV-1 helicopters, as well as one Kazan Ansat manufactured by Russian Helicopters subsidiary Kazan Helicopters.
The Ansat aircraft will be leased by Bashkortostan-based air ambulance service TNC, which operates across the southwestern Russian republic, and has already been handed over to the HEMS provider.
According to the standard specifications for a twin-engine Ansat, the aircraft offers speeds of 154 knots (285km/h) with a range of 635km, courtesy of two Pratt and Whitney PW207K engines. Russian Helicopters says that the Ansat can operate in a broad temperature range of between -45°C and +50°C.
The helicopter is equipped with a specialized medical module which enables a patient to be transported alongside two medical workers and the pilot, but which can be modified to offer space for up to seven passengers and one pilot in a more conventional seating arrangement.
The Mi-8 MTV-1 aircraft will be used to complete GTLK’s leasing contracts
Meanwhile, the Mi-8 MTV-1 helicopters will be used by GTLK to fulfil leasing contracts with several companies, including Yeltsovka Airlines, Strezhevskoye Aviation, Konvers Avia.
The Mi-8 MTV-1 helicopter is equipped with two Klimov TV3-117 gas turbine aero engines, offering cruising speeds of 230km/h.
In addition to being equipped for standard medical operations, the Mi-8 MTV-1 aircraft have also been equipped with external cargo hooks capable of transporting bulky cargo weighing up to four tonnes, as well as additional fuel tanks.
The four aircraft completes a framework agreement between Russian Helicopters and GTLK which saw seven Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters and three Ansat helicopters equipped for medical services transferred to GTLK in 2021. All rotorcraft are multifunctional, including those equipped to perform the tasks of air ambulance.
Russian Helicopters previously signed an agreement with state-owned bank Novikombank in July 2021 to support its civil helicopter production.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.