Specialists at Kazan Helicopters, the holding company of Russian Helicopters, have completed testing of an Ansat helicopter equipped with an Emergency Flotation System (EFS).
It is designed for emergency water landings and is used to save the lives of crew and passengers. The EFS is currently in the certification phase. When the work is complete, the Federal Air Transport Agency will approve the major modification.
The EFS includes inflatable buoyancy chambers (floats), two life rafts, an emergency life support package, including a radio beacon for rescuers to determine the landing site. In the event of an emergency landing, this system keeps the helicopter afloat for 30 minutes. This is enough time to deploy the system’s life-saving equipment, and to safely leave the helicopter.
“We are continuing our work to improve the air safety of the Ansat, as it is actively used in the transportation of passengers and patients who require emergency medical assistance,” said Russian Helicopters’ CEO Andrey Boginsky.
“Additionally, helicopters equipped with an EFS will be able to conduct flights to [facilities of] oil companies located at a considerable distance from the coast, and participate in search-and-rescue operations above the water.
“Together with high performance, this will make the Ansat even more attractive to fuel and energy companies and rescue services.”
Ansat is a light, multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Kazan Helicopters. According to the helicopter certificate, its design allows it to be converted into a cargo version or a passenger rotorcraft that can carry up to seven people. The Ansat is certified for use at temperatures ranging between -45 С and 50 С.
