Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, has obtained certification from the Aviation Register of the Interstate Aviation Committee for the commercial Mi-171 designed for corporate and VIP transportation. The certificate was presented to the helicopter’s developer, Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, at the MAKS 2013 International Aviation and Space Salon.

The VIP version of the MI-171 is produced at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, a Russian Helicopters company, and its luxury interior is made by Russian Helicopters partner company AeroTaxi-Service, which specialises in creating and servicing VIP-class passenger interiors for Russian-built helicopters. The Mi-171 has additional aviation equipment and systems that meet the latest requirements for reliability to ensure safety of operation and maintenance.

The luxury interior has additional thermal and sound isolation and is made of advanced materials including Euro-Composites cellular panels. The central section of the fuselage is divided into three compartments: front and rear airlocks and a central passenger salon that can hold up to eight passenger and one air steward. The Mi-171’s luxury salon has absolutely everything to ensure passengers are comfortable even on long flights.

Compared with the standard Mi-171, the version with a luxury cabin has improved aviation equipment; for example, instead of a UHF radio the helicopter is equipped with a Prima-VHF radio set. In addition the helicopter has radio equipment for providing in-flight updates and entertainment to passengers, a Pulsar radio station and universal communication unit.

The additional certification for the Mi-171 means the VIP version of the helicopter can enter the corporate transportation market. Developed based on the world-renowned Mi-8/17 series, the Mi-171 has all of the qualities of its famous predecessors including reliability and a high level safety, ease of use and suitability for outside storage.