MOSCOW. April 11 (Interfax-AVN) - According to experts of Canadian VIH Logging Ltd., the initial demand for the Kamov Ka-226 helicopters in the U.S market can reach 30-40 aircraft, company's spokesman Didier Moinier told Interfax-Military News Agency Monday.
"We expect that the initial demand for the Ka-226 helicopters in the U.S. market will be 30-40 aircraft. This is only where the medial and evacuation version of the aircraft is concerned, as the capabilities of the helicopters in question are much wider," he said during his visit as part of the Canadian delegation that arrived in Moscow for negotiations with the Kamov Holding Company on the development of cooperation.
VIH Logging Ltd. is one of the largest Canadian operators of helicopters. The company has been utilizing three Ka-32A11VS for over seven years now, the flight time of the helicopters reached 30,000 hours.
According to him, the expertise of using co-axial rotor helicopters of the Kamov firm proves the aircraft to be most effective.
The company trusts co-axial Ka-32 and Ka-226 helicopters. The Ka-226 does not have a tail rotor, which allows it to land on very small pads, almost everywhere. The helicopter provides free access to the back door, which also very convenient for evacuation purposes, for example, he said.
According to him, rather than for medial and evacuation purposes, Ka-226 helicopters can be used as general-purpose ones, for instance, in seismic observation, or for brining mountain-skiers to otherwise inaccessible ranges.
He added that with the certification of the Ka-226 under U.S. airworthiness standards, the effort currently being taken by the Kamov Holding Company, the marketing potential of the aircraft will improve significantly.
The Ka-226 light helicopter is intended for transportation of up to nine passengers. It has a maximum take-off weight of 3,400 kg. The maximum payload is up to 1,400 kg in the transport cabin and up to 1,500 kg on outer suspension points. The maximum speed is 205 kmph, cruise speed 194 kmph and operational range up to 600 km. The aircraft can spend up to 4 hours 34 minutes in the air without additional fuel tanks and up to 6 hours 45 minutes with additional fuel tanks.
The Ka-226 multifunctional helicopter with two engines developing 450 hp each has a modular design. This makes it possible to use it in passenger and cargo transportation, search and rescue operations, sanitary, patrol and fire-fighting missions.
Experts say the demand for the helicopter within up to 2010 may be up to 400 pieces.