Article Posted on : - Aug 29, 2012

A new Russian-made Mi-38 helicopter sets world record. Photo: Russian Helicopters.

MOSCOW (BNS): A new Russian-made Mi-38 helicopter has set a world record reaching an altitude of 8,600 meters, according to its maker Russian Helicopters.

The Mi-38 climbed a height of 8600 meters and set a new world altitude record in the class E-1h; category FAI helicopter take-off mass of 10 000 to 20 000 kg, during the 14th World Helicopter Championships in the Moscow region.

The previous record of 8,500 meters was also set by a Russian crew.

The multipurpose helicopter Mi-38 can be used for transport of goods and passengers, including VIP, as a search and rescue helicopter. Mass production of the Mi-38 has been slated for 2015, the Russian Helicopters said.

Depending on modification, the multirole helicopter could also be equipped with Russian- or Canadian-made engines.

The 14th FIFA World Helicopter Championships held from 22 to 26 August was attended by crews from Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, China, Poland, Ukraine, France, Switzerland and Russia.