RuAviation

Kazan Helicopter Plant has manufactured two Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters under a contract with the State Transport Leasing Company (STLC) for an airline in the Magadan region, according to the press service of Russian Helicopters.

The machines, which were delivered to the fleet of Kolyma Aviation, received a livery imitating the black-and-white colour of the largest representative of the dolphin species, the killer whale. Such livery is a continuation of the corporate style of the Magadan region air fleet, where the orca is one of the symbols of the region.

‘Orcas are one of the informal symbols of Magadan, these mammals can often be found in the coastal waters of the Sea of Okhotsk. Helicopters in the image of whales have already become a trademark of the aviation fleet of the Magadan region. Earlier this year, Kolyma Aviation has already received two Mi-38 helicopters in the same colour,’ commented the press service of Russian Helicopters.

They noted that modern customers increasingly pay attention not only to the reliability and technical characteristics of equipment, but also to its appearance. Industrial design and spectacular livery are becoming more and more widespread around the world, and designers and marketers are trying to reflect these trends in the development of new models and modernisation of existing ones.

Two Mi-38 helicopters performed a flight from Kazan to Magadan

An example is the new Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters for the Magadan region. ‘These reliable and time-tested machines are capable of operating even in the most extreme weather conditions. Now they also have an original design: the livery resembles killer whales,’ added the representative of the holding.

In the near future the helicopters will leave Kazan for Magadan on their own. The flight at a distance of 6,500 km will be carried out by two crews with intermediate landings for refuelling. The route is laid out with stops in eleven Russian cities.

According to Dmitry Sanakoev, general director of Kolyma Aviation, the Mi-8 series helicopters are proven and reliable helpers, they are in non-sugar storage and are easy to operate and maintain. ‘We are planning to equip the new machines with external suspension and SLG-300 winch device to perform evacuation tasks from sea vessels,’ he said.

The possibility of installing additional fuel tanks of 915 litres each will increase the maximum range to 1,050 km. The internal equipment of the cargo compartments can be modified for medical modules for air ambulance. The helicopters received modernised lighting equipment to improve flight safety in low visibility conditions. The multi-purpose purpose of Mi-8 family helicopters allows them to be used for a wide range of tasks; they can perform transport and cargo operations, help fight forest fires, and carry out environmental monitoring.