Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

A new variant of Russian Helicopters’ Mi-171 designed specifically for the needs of offshore energy operators has made its first flight. Test pilots&nbsp;Alexander Klimov and Vladimir Kutanin put the Mi-171A3 through an initial 15-minute test card that included short vertical maneuvers while turning and moving the helicopter in all directions at various speeds.&nbsp;

 


The development of the Mi-171A3 began in 2018. The latest helicopter fully complies with the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers&nbsp;standards and meets the increased requirements for promoting the safety of flights over water. The A3 is designed to carry up to 24 passengers, has a maximum range of 540 nm, and is designed to operate in extreme climates in a temperature range from -58F to 120F.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is equipped with a full suite of digital avionics and automatic flight control systems.

 


The project was underwritten in part with a $14 million investment from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade. “The modern and competitive Mi-171A3 helicopter was developed in record time: the state contract for the development of a helicopter modification designed for flights to offshore platforms was signed by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade with the (Russian Helicopters) Holding in 2020,” said Russian industry and trade minister Denis Manturov.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 


Russian Helicopters estimates market demand for the new variant to be 100 units by 2035, according to&nbsp;Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Russian Helicopters’ parent company, Rostec State Corp. The final&nbsp;assembly of the Mi-171A3 will take place at the Ulan-Ude aviation plant with fuselage components from Kazan Helicopters.&nbsp;

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Russian Mi-171A3 Makes First Flight

New Mi-171 variant designed to serve offshore energy market. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Plan will help ensure long-term job stability for Portugal workforce

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News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

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ORRA encourages helicopter companies to go beyond traditional risk management

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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