South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has issued a type certificate to Russian Helicopters’ Mi-17A2 rotorcraft, validating its airworthiness.
The helicopter was earlier certified by aviation authorities in India and Columbia last November. The company plans to validate the Mi-171A2 helicopter in China, Brazil, Mexico and Peru.
Mi-171A2 Helicopter
Mi-171A2 design has 80 upgrades against the basic model, the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter family. The chopper has digital controls, and is distinguished by a new carrying system against Mi-8/Mi-17 family. The company claims to have increased the maximum speed and payload of the Mi-171A2 by 10% and 25% respectively, owing to the X-shaped anti-torque rotor and the main rotor with composite blades of upgraded aerodynamic shape.
The helicopter is powered by new VK-2500PS-03 turboshaft engine (modification of VK-2500 engine). The main design difference between the two engines is the presence of a digital control system such as FADEC in the new one. The overhaul and designated resource of this engine is two times higher than that of its predecessors. VK-2500PS-03 gives helicopters fundamentally new opportunities for their operation in high-altitude regions and areas with a hot climate. Its installation on a civilian Mi-171A2 helicopter is considered as a basic application of the engine.