DUSHANBE, October 20, 2012, Asia-Plus – Ukriane has completed fly tests of the upgraded Mi-8 MSB (medium-class transport helicopter).
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine says the trails were conducted in high mountains and at high temperatures in the CIS hottest area, near Shahritous, Tajikistan.
The trial group of two flying crews and ground personnel was reportedly testing the helicopter characteristics during three weeks. The fixed wing aircraft was overloaded: it used only one engine during 30 minutes on takeoff and ascended 5000 meters; the engine operating temperature was up to 148 degrees (while max. possible temperature is 150 degrees); and mountain helipads were equipped at a height of 2500, 3300, and 4200 meters.
Due to unique engines of Zaporizhzhya JSC Motor Sich, the helicopter impressed everybody by its characteristics – some of them were better than characteristics of Mi-8MT. In particular, they achieved 20% of fuel economy; the helicopter ascended the service ceiling of 6300 meters. Mi-8MSB set up a record ascending at the height of 8200 meters at Aviasvit-XXI International Aeroshow (Kyiv oblast) this year.
Mi-8MSB will be presented in United Arab Emirates.
