First Foreign Heavy Helicopter To Receive Certification In Russia

Russian aviation certification authorities have given approval to Airbus Helicopters' H225. It is the first time in history that a foreign heavy class helicopter has been certified in Russia.

“Successful certification of H225 by the Interstate Aviation Committee gives Russian customers an opportunity to start operations of the efficient and reliable rotorcraft in the nearest future. Ten years of success on the global oil and gas market and positive feedback from hundreds of customers worldwide prove that this helicopter is the best choice for challenging missions in severe weather conditions”, says Emeric Lhomme, General Manager of Airbus Helicopters Vostok. “We are certain that by choosing this helicopter Russian customers will be able to decrease operational costs as well as improve safety level and service quality” he added.

The Russian certification will open up the all-weather market in countries such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for which the H225 is perfectly suited with its safe and proven de-icing system. Combining the ability to carry 19 passengers with its heavy-lift capacity, the H225 also offers the longest range in the industry. A demo tour organized this summer in Russia allowed the offshore community to witness firsthand the capabilities of the H225’s unrivalled four-axis autopilot, its operational readiness, and its comfort in flight. In August this year, the helicopter also attended the MAKS airshow in Moscow.
 
“The H225 is the right answer to Russia’s needs – bringing together the experience of top-class reliability in extreme weather conditions and cutting edge avionics to fly more safely and further than any other air lifted solutions” said Olivier Scheier, sales manager for oil & gas segment in Russia. “The H225 is fit for the toughest environment and guarantees the highest level of service, even in the utmost remote places”, he added.
 
Approximately 70 percent of the worldwide Super Puma fleet is operated for personnel transport in support of the offshore oil & gas industry, including H225s in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, Africa, Asia and South America. To date The Super Puma family has accumulated more than 5 million flight hours during operations around the world and in all weather conditions, including highly challenging maritime environments.

(Image provided with Airbus helicopters news release)

FMI: www.airbushelicopters.com