Russian Helicopters (part of State Corporation Rostec) announces that the new light multirole commercial Ansat with hydro-mechanical controls has received additional certification from the Aviation Register of the Interstate Aviation Committee (AR IAC), enabling it to carry out passenger transport operations on the commercial market. Commercial deliveries are due to start in 2015.

The additional certification confirms that the Ansat meets aviation regulations and certifies the changes made to the type model. In particular, the Ansat passenger variant boasts an upgraded stability augmentation system, increased take-off weight to 3,600 kg, and equipment to carry passengers. These changes have made it possible to improve the helicopter’s flight capabilities and make it more attractive and competitive on the international helicopter construction market.

The helicopter received its AR IAC certificate, unrelated to passenger transport, in 2013, allowing the Ansat to enter commercial operation.

“We have decided to offer our customers a comfortable and reliable helicopter in the light segment with a traditional hydro-mechanical control system,” said Kazan Helicopters CEO Vadim Ligai. “Receiving type certification for the passenger Ansat with hydro-mechanical controls opens up new opportunities to promote this helicopter in the global commercial operation market.”

Kazan Helicopters, the Russian Helicopters company that designed and produces the Ansat, began work on certification of the commercial hydro-mechanical version of the helicopter in 2011. Previously Kazan Helicopters produced a fly-by-wire version of the Ansat; however, no commercial fly-by-wire helicopter had obtained certification anywhere in the world, and there were no established requirements for such a helicopter. To bring the helicopter to market more quickly it was decided to adjust the Ansat programme accordingly by switching to a traditional hydro-mechanical system. The adoption of a hydro-mechanical control system has not led to any increase in take-off weight or changes to its technical parameters.

Experts say that the modernised Ansat has a number of important competitive advantages over other models in its class. It is reliable and easy to operate, can tolerate a wide range of climates and temperatures, and is suitable for outdoor storage. Russian Helicopters has already demonstrated the new Ansat in key markets including the CIS, South-East Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The Ansat can be used for transporting cargo and passengers, surveillance, search and rescue operations, fire-fighting, and medevac missions. It has manual and automatic piloting modes and can be used in regular or adverse weather conditions.