KAZAN, Volga Region, August 27 (AVN) - The second flying prototype of the Ansat nine-seater light multi-purpose helicopter will be completed in early September, Alexei Stepanov, chief constructor of the Kazan helicopter plant, said on Monday.
The first prototype spent over 55 hours in the air during flight tests, Stepanov told the Military News Agency. Three more prototypes are under construction and will be involved in flight and certification tests in late 2002.
Ansat's equipping with Pratt & Whitney engines allows to hold power plant tests without delays for operational development, Stepanov stressed. Licensed production of Pratt Whitney engines will be later launched at the Kazan engine-building enterprise. Their operation will be supported by the Russian-Canadian joint venture Pratt-Whitey-Rus in St. Petersburg. The Pratt & Whitney company has supplied engines for three Ansats to the Kazan plant three of charge.
Speaking about the helicopter's on-board equipment, Stepanov stressed that Ansat is fitted with regular electromechanical devices, but due to installation of the Pratt & Whitney engine with the electric control system, the first helicopters will be equipped with the indicator of Canada's Marconi company. The indicator will display all parameters of the engine's operation.
The helicopter plant has received the first sample of the Russian on-board information control system made by the Ulyanovsk design bureau. The system has a multifunctional electronic indicator that displays information on operation of all helicopter systems. The indicators are expected to be installed in the second prototype.
The Ansat design and construction was fully financed by the Kazan helicopter plant.