Ansat civil light twin helicopter cleared for passenger operations

Russian Helicopters' new civil Kazan Ansat light helicopter has received additional certification that permits the commercial twin-engined type to carry fee-paying passengers. Deliveries are scheduled to begin next year. The commercial Ansat – certificated in 2011 – is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207K turboshafts and boasts a maximum take-off weight of 3,600kg (7,940lb). “We have decided to offer our customers a comfortable and reliable helicopter in the light segment with a traditional hydro-mechanical control system,” says chief executive Vadim Ligai of Kazan Helicopters, the Russian Helicopters subsidiary that designed and produces the Ansat. “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 began work on certification of the commercial hydro-mechanical version of the helicopter in 2011. Previously the company 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," Russian Helicopters says.