Perhaps, air transport will free us of hours-long traffic jams very soon, and luxury helicopters will become "sky Rolls Royces".
About 130 companies including 22 foreign ones from Byelorussia, the UK, Germany, Italy, the USA, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the Ukraine, presented their helicopter industry-related potential, products and services on the area of 10,750 square metres. The public could see the products by such big names as Kamov, KVZ, M.L. Mill MVZ, AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter, Eurocopter, MD, Robinson. Helicopter Association International (HAI) also took part in the show.
AugustaWestland "lands" in Russia
Not always you must spoil before you spin. A proof of that was one of the most important events of HeliRussia 2008 – the strategic partnership agreement signed by Russian helicopter engineering corporation Oboronprom and Italian AugustaWestland.
The first step towards practical cooperation was signing a long-term contract and the five-year distribution agreement between AgustaWestland, Oboronprom Inc. and Lloyd's Investments Corp. in May 2008. The agreement specified procurement of AgustaWestland helicopters to the amount of €450 million before 2012. 10 helicopters for the total of about €65 million will be sold in 2008 (two single-engine Grands and two medium twin-engine AW139).
The agreement also included provisions concerning marketing of AgustaWestland helicopters in Russia and in most of the CIS countries. They can be used as VIP machines, for corporate transportation, by energy companies, in emergencies and for rescue operations.
At the second stage of cooperation, Oboronprom and AgustaWestland intend to set up a number of service centres in Russia for maintenance of this brand of helicopters.
Finally, at the third stage the partners consider the opportunity to start up the joint production of AgustaWestland helicopters in Russia for sale on domestic and international markets. Right now professionals from both companies are working on this project, in particular trying to find a suitable location in Russia’s European Regions to deploy a production facility. Russian-made helicopters will be sold in Russia, CIS countries and - via AgustaWestland - in the rest of the world.
Visitors could clearly see two helicopters brought by AgustaWestland to the show. One of the probably most stylishly decorated stands featured the eight-seat gas-turbine A 119 Koala, while at the exhibition pad the public admired the multipurpose twin-engine A 109 Power.
Foreign landing party
Apart from AgustaWestland, there were lots of other foreign-made machines at the show. Eurocopter Vostok, a subsidiary company of the biggest helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, presented the corporate version of its Eurocopter EC145. Such a machine has being used by Russia State Broadcasting Company since the summer 2007 and based at Pulkovo airport. It's the first helicopter of this type imported to Russia, but according to the company's current stock of orders the Russia's EС145 fleet will count 10 such craft in a year.
However, Eurocopter Vostok's participation wasn't just about displaying its machines. The company used the opportunity to sign a contract with the Russian carrier Utair (also a participant of the show) to supply EC135 helicopters, and a protocol of intent to buy 20 Ecureuil AS350 B3.
Distributors also took an active part in the show. Bell Helicopter was represented by Jet Transfer, the official distributor of Bell Helicopter's products in the Russian Federation. The Robinson family of helicopters was presented by local firms Aerosoyuz, Aviamarket and Urals Helicopter Company. At the Gals Aero stand one could see MD 520N. It was a pity that we didn't find Sikorsky Corporation's products promised by the show organizers, though the head of the company arrived to Moscow and took part in the grand opening of HeliRussia 2008.
At the native heliport
And of course HeliRussia 2008 became an excellent demonstration area for presenting Russian helicopters. These events were very popular among the professionals and common visitors. Designers presenting various projects were bombarded with questions - everybody used a chance to get the firsthand information.
At the stands of Russia's Helicopters Inc. one could see both the production-version machines and prototype designs. For example, the company presented the multipurpose Ка-226: an original "flying chassis" design with various removable purpose-built cabins such as a VIP salon or a flying ambulance with appropriate medical equipment.
For the first time the public could take a look at the full-size mock-up of de luxe Mi34АС helicopter designed to carry VIP passengers and to perform corporate transportations.
Kazan Helicopter Factory Inc. presented its latest products including the multipurpose Ansat model and the promising small multipurpose Aktai helicopter. At the next stand there was a full-size mock-up of the Mi8 helicopter's VIP salon designed by the company Aero Taxi Service, a commercial partner of M.L. Mill MVZ Inc.
Specialized helicopter shows are regularly held in various countries of the world. Finally, this extremely important international helicopter industry forum reached Russia.
Dmitry Gnatenko
Photoreport
USD:
EUR:
