The Mi-8 is a legendary Soviet multi-purpose helicopter developed by the Mil Design Bureau, the most popular and recognizable twin-engine helicopter in the world’s military and civil aviation. The helicopter has found its wide application in more than 50 countries around the world, performing the tasks assigned to it at this moment.
It is hard to believe that the history of the helicopter began in the second half of the 50s of the last century and after several decades the aircraft has not lost its relevance and still uses its potential, laid down many years ago, and continues to fly in the world of modern technologies and inventions.
The machine replaced the Mi-4 helicopter, the modernized helicopter became twin-engine, radically changing the design of the fuselage, perhaps with the exception of the tail boom and rear wheelbase. The country’s leadership set the task of developing a more functional helicopter, with an increased reserve of power and speed, lifting capacity, passenger capacity, a more durable, reliable and safe transport and military helicopter.
Mi-4
The first prototype was equipped with one turboshaft engine and took off in the summer of 1961. The second prototype of the helicopter took off a year later, in September 1962, equipped with two turboshaft power plants, which entered subsequent serial production of the Mi-8T in 1965, less than 10 years after the start of development. In 1975, the helicopter was modernized and began to be produced under the designation Mi-8MT, known as the Mi-17 for export production. The engines were replaced with more powerful ones, and therefore a new main gearbox. The designers strengthened the fuselage, the helicopter received a tail rotor from the Mi-14 amphibious helicopter, a number of systems and components were modified to improve flight performance.
The Mi-8 helicopter is a unique machine capable of transforming for various purposes. The main task is to transport passengers and cargo to common and hard-to-reach places and areas. The helicopter flies day and night, in a wide range of outside temperatures, as well as in difficult and extremely difficult meteorological conditions.
With a passenger cabin layout, it can take on board the intended 28 passengers, taking into account the weight of luggage up to 15 kg per person, a total of 420 kg, and in the absence of luggage and more passengers. With such a load, the aircraft is capable of covering a distance of up to 500-600 kilometers.
It is hard to believe, but in the modification for ambulance aviation, in the medical version, the Eight is capable of transporting up to 12 bedridden patients on stretchers, compared to the Eurocopter 145, which provides 2 lying places. But here we must understand the difference in medical equipment on board, since the 145th machine is a full-fledged flying ambulance, a hospital in the air. But if we do not take into account the equipment and understand that the transportation has a short time interval, then the number of simultaneously transported patients who do not require hardware support can play a decisive role.
Mi-14
Thanks to its flight characteristics, powerful engines, 5-blade main rotor and 3-blade tail rotor with a heated leading edge, in the familiar Eurocopter and Robinson there is no heating system for the main and tail rotor, Mishka is capable of lifting 3 tons of payload or 4 tons with less fuel, while the maximum takeoff weight should not exceed 12/13 tons. The empty weight of the helicopter in different modifications varies between 6900-7500 tons, the fuel weight in the range of 2300 – 2700 liters. For this, the helicopter is equipped with 4 fuel tanks: a 415 l. supply tank, a 750 l. left outboard tank (extended 1130 l.), a 680 l. right outboard tank (extended 1040 l.) and an additional 915 l. tank in the cargo cabin.
The heart of the helicopter is its engine. The Mi-8 helicopter in most models and its latest modifications is equipped with 2 x TV3-117VM/A with a capacity of 2400/2800 hp in emergency, 2200/2500 hp takeoff and 1500/1750 hp in cruising modes, and depending on the modification 117VM/117VMA with a resource of 7500 hours. It is pleasant to note the fact that most engines for Mi-8 helicopters are manufactured in the city of Zaporozhye.
The helicopter develops a maximum declared speed of 250 km/h, cruising speed is 220 km/h. It is well piloted, moreover, there is an autopilot capable of maintaining the helicopter’s movement along the course, roll, pitch with a deviation of only 0.5 – 1 degree and the barometric altitude deviates up to 6 meters, and in speed no more than 10 km / h. The helicopter’s autopilot is unique in that it can be used in parallel with manual piloting.
The Mi-8 helicopter is a unique aircraft that has earned its reputation for thousands of flight hours. It is difficult not to recognize the Mi eighth, it cannot be confused with anything. The helicopter has found wide application in Ukraine, in transport aviation and the armed forces, it works daily for the benefit of citizens.
06 JUNE 2022