KAZAN. Aug 6 (Interfax-AVN) - The certification trials of the Ansat light helicopter designed by the Kazan Helicopter Plant will end this year, the plant's press service told Interfax- Military News Agency Wednesday.
"At present the Ansat designed by the Kazan Helicopter Plant is going through certification trials according to the AP-29 Russian aviation rules similar to the FAR-29 U.S. requirements. The certification trials of the Ansat baseline version are to end this year," the press service said.
According to the press service, the plant is keeping on designing Ansat derivatives including the Ansat-U primary trainer and the Ansat-2 with a maximal takeoff weight of 5t. "A model of the helicopter will be shown at the MAKS 2003 air show in August this year," the press service added.
The Kazan Helicopter Plant started developing the Ansat in 1994. The helicopter is powered by two PW-207K engines made by Pratt & Whitney Canada, the rest of the components are produced in Kazan.
The aircraft's maximal takeoff weight is 3.3t, the maximal speed is 280kmph, cruising speed 250kmph, and maximum flight duration 3.3 hours. The Ansat carries 10 passengers or 1,300kg of cargo.
The helicopter will be offered to foreign customers for USD1.7m-1.8m, while Russian clients will be able to procure it for USD1.5m.