The helicopters are capable of operating in Arctic conditions at temperatures near the ground down to -50 degrees Celsius. The machines are manufactured at the Kazan Helicopter Plant and can be equipped with additional fuel tanks to increase range.
The upgraded Mi-8MTV-1 high-altitude transport helicopter with VK-2500-03 engines has a dynamic ceiling of 6000m. The vehicle was developed in 1985-1987 and put into serial production in Kazan in 1988. “Having the opportunity to significantly increase the range of the Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter is of particular importance for the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District, which has an area larger than France,” Russian Helicopters said.
The Mi-8MTV-1 can perform a wide range of tasks: from passenger and cargo transport to sanitary evacuation and rescue operations. In addition, these helicopters are used on specialised missions, such as monitoring oil pipelines or rapid delivery of repair crews with equipment. The helicopters can carry cargoes on external suspension weighing up to 4 tonnes and due to the possibility of autonomous basing do not require special airfield equipment.
The cabins of the helicopters transferred to Yamal Airlines are equipped with 22 service seats, and they can be quickly converted into a passenger or ambulance version. Mi-8MTV-1s are popular with airlines operating in the Far North due to their versatility, reliability and unpretentiousness, which allows the helicopters to be operated without hangar storage.
Mi-8s in various modifications are in demand in hard-to-reach areas of Russia and many other countries. The new Mi-8MTV-1s will complement the airline’s helicopter fleet, which currently totals 55 machines. Their successful design, proven by years of operation, makes them indispensable in arctic conditions.
