Mi-26 - the largest helicopter in the world

• Mi-26 - the world's largest helicopter

Russia is one of the leading places in the world for oil and gas production. Most of the reserves are concentrated in remote areas of northern Siberia, where for hundreds of kilometers can not be settlements and roads. In these circumstances, the only way to deliver cargo remains helicopter aviation.

The record for the load capacity is among the helicopters Mi-26. It is able to carry up to 20 tonnes of goods and bulky equipment. It is the largest helicopter in the world!

Mi-26 - the largest helicopter in the world

One of the leading helicopter companies who perform work in the north of Siberia, is an airline "SKOL". Now its fleet of 37 aircraft. "SKOL" has a proving ground 37 km from Surgut equipped with parking for all types of helicopters. Regular customers are: "Surgutneftegaz", "Gazprom" NGK "Slavneft", "Alrosa", "Rosneft" and the administration of Surgut region.

perform a specific task begins with the fact that the customer applies for the next day via the air traffic controller of the company. Work on the north enough, so the car is almost never stand idle, except for the implementation of technical regulations. In this case, the order came for the transportation of large metal pipes in the gas field. This task perfectly cope Mi-26, since it is capable of carrying loads on the external load.

Mi-26 - one of the few aircraft able to lift and carry the load, almost equal in weight to itself, to a distance of 800 km. Due to the unique, heavy-duty, these are in great demand both in Russia and abroad.

As the 2015 "SKOL" airline 11 Mi-26.

If the Mi-26 placed next to the aircraft Boeing-737, the helicopter will be longer!

This is the only helicopter in the world with 8-blade propeller with a diameter of 32 meters. It has two engines and 11 000 liters. from. everyone. These engines allow to lift the 28-ton machine with 12 tons of fuel and 20 tons of cargo to a height of 6, 5 thousand meters. Mi-26 engines consume fuel to 3 tons per hour.

The height of the helicopter - a three-story house.

This multipurpose heavy transport helicopter, winner of numerous awards and world records, is able to lift loads inside the fuselage, and on the external sling. It is used to implement various tasks, from simple cargo transportation to extinguish fires and installation works.

Prepare for takeoff begins in the morning. Six ground engineers check the technical condition of the helicopter and warm up the car. Warming up of such a large helicopter takes an average of one hour and at a temperature below -30 ° C - at least two hours.

Install straps for securing cargo on the external load in 10 minutes. Weight lines (called "ropes") is 300 kg, so their drag of 4 people.

Mount slings to the helicopter.

At the same time, the crew passes preflight medical examination, receives data on meteorological conditions in the area of work, discussing the details of the flight.

The crew comes on board.

Mi-26 pilots - elite helicopter pilot. This is the hardest class helicopters and it takes only a first-class pilots.

MI-26 The crew consists of commander (left), a second pilot, navigator and airborne equipment.

Even in the cargo compartment are two flight operators that carry out a visual inspection of the suspension.

The approach to the location of the cargo. To lift the load must be strictly hang over him, and in this time the engines are constantly working at maximum takeoff mode.

Visual inspection of places of hovering. Onboard operator is in constant communication with the PIC (pilot in command), and informs him about the behavior of the load and the state of the external suspension ropes. For example, as two meters ahead, clinging to the rope load, load podtseplen, wire rope, cargo uncoupled, etc...

The blades of the Mi-26 rotated at 192 revolutions per minute, creating a powerful airflow that is able to knock people down and bend the trees. Therefore, in a radius of 200 meters should be items that can blow a stream of air.

The Brigade slingers has special training and equipment. In particular, helmets with built-in transmitter to communicate with the crew. If you can not establish radio contact, slingers correct work of the crew with the help of special gestures.

The maximum speed of the Mi-26 - 295 km / h, but when transporting cargo on the external load average speed of only 120 km / h. In this case, the flight is carried out at a height of not less than 150 meters, be sure to bypass the settlements.

Monitoring of load through the external suspension hatch.

Weighting device.

The commander in the cabin of the monitor, which is conducted with three different broadcast cameras showing the condition of the cargo on external sling.

Flight Engineer.

This is another operation. Mi-26 transport cargo from Urengoy, which is located at the latitude of the Arctic Circle, in the area of the Vankor oil and gas field.

The cost of flight hours of the Mi-26 is about 600 thousand rubles (10 000 rubles / min). But, despite this, the helicopter snapped.

During the flight time gaining rope hooks up to 6 million volts of static electricity. Therefore, you first need to "reset" static by touching ground straps on the side of the cargo.

The length of the "rope" - 20 meters, hovering over the load occurs at a height of about 15 meters.

After separation of the load from the ground, make sure its normal behavior in the air and the availability of power reserve engines. Only then can you gain speed and altitude.

During its history, the Mi-26 carried out a variety of unique operations using external suspension, is world-famous. This transport Tu-124, of another Ni-26, evacuation of two helicopters CH-47 "Chinook" US armed forces in Afghanistan et al. Recently, one of the Mi-26 airline "Scola" transported Yak-40.

Upon returning to the departure area made poslepolotnoe service. All units are checked engines for leaks (leaks) and blade damage.

diameter tail rotor - 7, 5 meters. This is more than the face of the Kremlin chimes in the Spassky Tower.

To service the power plant and transmission fairings on the engine has large hinged panels that are used as working platforms. The tail boom - passage for service of a tail rotor drivetrain. By the way, the weight of the gear - 3, 6 tons.

Under the cargo floor of the fuselage placed eight main fuel tanks with total capacity of 12,000 liters. In winter, always refuel helicopters completely to prevent condensation, which can clog fuel filters.

In addition to the Mi-26, in the park of airline "SKOL" 17 Mi-8 units in various modifications - Mi-8T, Mi-8AMT, Mi-171.

This is a massive twin-engine helicopter in the world. In Russia alone, more than five hundred of their units.

His versatility and high flight performance allow you to perform a wide range of tasks.

One of the tasks of "eights" airline "SKOL" - transportation of shift workers.

In this case, workers are transported to the site on Yuganskaya priobskoye field. In other ways, while on the river did not get up the ice, over the Ob river is not to move.

Over time, you can carry 22 people.

Air-to-Air Shooting.

blister.

frosted expanses of Western Siberia.

In addition to the northern regions of Siberia, the "Group of Eight" airline "SKOL" perform tasks in different parts of the world, for example, now 3 boards operate in Southern Sudan.