Mi-38 Sets Altitude Record at World Helicopter Championships

Russian Helicopters, part of Russian state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, is proud to announce that a Mi-38 set a new world altitude record on the final day of the 14th FAI World Helicopter Championships.

The Mi-38, one of the latest Russian models designed for cargo and passenger transportation, climbed to above 8,600 meters, setting a new world record in the E1h class (the FAI category for helicopters weighing 10,000 to 20,000 kg).

The record was set by test pilots from Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, part of Russian Helicopters. The team was led by captain Vladimir Kutanin, and also included Salavat Sadriev (second pilot), Oleg Repitilo (navigator) and Igor Klevantsev (Air Force chief flight test engineer).

The previous record, of 8,500 meters, was also set by Russian pilots during a test flight. The new mark has been officially registered and will go down in global aviation history.


The multi-role Mi-38 can transport cargo and passengers (including VIPs), and can also be used for search-and-rescue and offshore operations, and as a mobile hospital. It has the greatest load-lift and passenger-carrying capacity of any other helicopter in its class, and the best technical and performance specifications across most areas. Mass production is planned to start in 2015, using either Klimov TV7-117V or Pratt&Whitney Canada PW127/TS engines at the client’s choice.

The Mi-38 is fitted with emergency on-water landing equipment, and can be operated day and night and in all weathers, in a variety of climactic conditions and in temperatures from -50°? to +60°?. It comes with a leading-edge avionics suite and meets Russian AP-29, European JAR-29 and American FAR-29 standards. The helicopter’s high levels of reliability and safety and comfort for both crew and passengers, coupled with its advanced technical characteristics, make the Mi-38 one of the most advanced models on the Russian and global markets today.

The 14th World Helicopter Championship took place on 22-26 August at the Drakino airbase in the Serpukhov District of Moscow Region. Teams from 11 countries – Austria, Belarus, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine and the UK -- took part, and more than 7,000 guests and spectators attended. Russian Helicopters acted as general partner of the Championship.

Russian Helicopters is continuing the proud history of Russian helicopter building in creating machines that are able to set new records. The company is also committed to promoting helicopter sport in Russia in order to discover new talented pilots and strengthen the image of Russian-produced helicopters on the global market.