Russian Helicopters announces AR IAC certification of their new Ka-226T

The Russian Helicopters Holding, part of the Rostec State Corporation announced the receipt of a Supplement to Type Certificate from the Aviation Register of the Interstate Aviation Committee (AR IAC) for the Ka-226T light multipurpose helicopter. Obtaining a Supplement to Type Certificate opens up opportunities for supplying and operating helicopters of this model in its base version.

“The certification of the Ka-226T was made possible by the work of a large team of aircraft designers and manufacturers,” said Alexander Mikheyev, General Director of the Russian Helicopters Holding. He is confident that the Ka-226T will occupy its niche in the light helicopters market.

The Ka-226T was designed by the Kamov Design Bureau, and is the further development of the light multi-purpose helicopters in the series Ka-26, Ka-126, and Ka-226. These helicopters were produced by the Kumertauskoye Aviation Company (KumAPP). Moreover, a special version of Ka-226 helicopters, made for Russian law enforcement agencies, is still being manufactured there. The Ka-226T will also be manufactured at the KumAPP.

The certified aircraft is equipped with French Turbomeсa Arrius 2G1 engines, with a digital control system (FADEC). This is the first time Arrius 2G1 engines have been installed in a coaxial helicopter. In addition, the Ka-226T is equipped with a new gearbox and modern avionics. Design solutions that were implemented in the creation of this helicopter, make it safer to fly. This aircraft is also environmentally friendly and more economical to operate.

The new engines have increased the power of the helicopter by 20%, as well as substantially increasing its cruising speed. The Ka-226T has been given a Transport Category A Certification, which indicates the safety level has been improved. In extreme situations, in case of failure of one engine, the helicopter will be able to continue flying, and land safely. Modernized avionics ensures safe instrument flying, that is, in conditions when the location, attitude, and helicopter flight parameters are determined only from indicators on the on-board instruments.

Excellent handling and modern navigation equipment makes the Ka-226T easy to maneuver around dense urban high-rise buildings, and in mountainous terrain. The absence of a tail rotor and compact dimensions allow the Ka-226T to land on very small platforms. This helicopter does not require a storage hangar, which expands the range of its operations, far was from equipped bases. During certification testing of the Ka-226T, they confirmed the excellent quality of its load-bearing system, high-altitude and maneuvering characteristics.

The prototype of the Ka-226T was successfully tested in India during a tender for the supply of helicopters, which was canceled by Indian authorities last year. The flight of this helicopter in the Indian high altitude and hot climate conditions, demonstrated its advantages over those of its competitors, being offered by Western companies. During test flights in the Himalayas, the Ka-226T reached an altitude of 7,200 meters.

In 2013, the Ka-226T demonstrated its capabilities in Kazakhstan. The aircraft received high marks from representatives of rescue and law enforcement agencies of the republic, who watched demonstration flights of the helicopter, carrying external loads using slings and winches. Moreover, the Ka-226T performed a test rescue flight, hovering and landing at an altitude of 2,500 meters to evacuate an “injured” person. One of the unique achievements that makes the Ka-226T stand apart in the light helicopter class, is its operational ceiling of 7,500 meters.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.