Post Release: 5-th International Helicopter Industry Exhibition HeliRussia 2012

HeliRussia celebrates its 5th anniversary in 2012

The exhibition is being held in accordance with the Russian Federation Government order of 28 July, 2011 No. 1310-r. The organizer is the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, and the organizing sponsor is Russian Helicopter Systems CJSC. The title sponsor of the event is UIC Oboronprom OJSC, the general sponsor is Eurocopter Vostok, and the official sponsor is Vnesheconombank.

More than 200 companies from 18 countries around the world participated in the 5th International Helicopter Industry Exhibition: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, USA, UK, France, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, Spain, India, Finland, Poland, Colombia, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania. Last year, 161 companies from 16 countries participated in the exhibition, 156 from 14 countries in 2010, and 129 companies from 10 countries worldwide were represented at the first exhibition.

The exhibition was attended by over 9000 people, including politicians and government officials, foreign delegations, representatives of foreign military officials, businessmen and professionals from the helicopter industry.

The HeliRussia 2012 exhibition was located over 10,750 square meters, where there were 150 Russian and 51 foreign companies, including global market leaders such as Eurocopter, Sikorsky Aircraft, AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter, Enstrom Helicopter, Motor Sich, Ivchenko – Progress Group, Turbomeca, Pall Corporation, Red Box International, Breeze-Eastern, SkyTrac Systems Ltd., HUTCHINSON AEROSPACE, Simplex Manufacturing, CAE, BAE Systems, DAC Intl and others. Of most interest at the Russian exhibition were American companies – 15 companies from the USA were on display in Moscow this year. Participation by French companies has become a standing tradition at the International Helicopter Industry Exhibition. This year, there were eight companies at the collective French stand, and three participated independently. Canada and Germany were represented by 3 companies each.

20 helicopters were provided for demonstration: Ka-62, Mi-28NE, Mi-8, Mi-8AMT, Ansat, EC135, EC120, AW139, Bell 407, Enstrom 480, R66, R44, R22 and Rumas 10 produced by MIL Moscow Helicopter Plant JSC, Kamov JSC, Kazan Helicopter Plant JSC, Eurocopter, AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter, Robinson Helicopters, Enstrom Helicopter, and RUMAS Group.

There were two helicopters by the entrance to the exhibition hall: an Mi-28NE military helicopter (with locator) and a civilian Mi-8AMT.

One foreign and ten Russian companies presented military products at HeliRussia 2012.

The official opening ceremony, which was held on 17 May, 2012 included:

Acting Deputy Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin;
Acting Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov;
General Director of Russian Technologies Sergey Chemezov;
First Deputy Chairman of the Military Industrial Commission under the aegis of the Government of the Russian Federation Yury Borisov;
General Director of Russian Helicopters JSC Dmitry Petrov;
General Director of the Central Aerohydrodynamics Institute Boris Aleshin;
Chairman of the Board of the Helicopter Industry Association Mikhail Kazachkov

and other officials.

Congratulatory letters from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev were sent to the participants, organizers and guests of the exhibition.

At the beginning of his speech, Dmitry Rogozin delivered a message from Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, which stated that “For many years, domestic advanced technology and experience accumulated in this sphere have been recognized and in high demand in the international aviation equipment market. It is therefore natural that HeliRussia has become an authoritative platform that annually demonstrates the latest advances, exchanges promising ideas, and discusses the full range of current professional issues.”

Rogozin gave a high assessment of domestic developments, describing the delight with which he showed representatives of NATO a photograph of the Russian Mi-26 evacuating an American CH-47 helicopter destroyed by the Taliban. However, Rogozin said that a lot of work lies ahead and domestic helicopter manufacturers are facing new challenges to create a modern and efficient helicopter models. At the end of his speech, he told the audience that he has decided to train to be a helicopter pilot.

In his speech, Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation announced joint plans for a Russian Helicopters Holding. The accents are on completing testing of the Mi-38 and Ka-62. During an official walkabout, Denis Manturov honoured Bruno Spagnolini, the head of AgustaWestland, with the distinction of “Honorary aircraft manufacturer of the Russian Federation” for his contribution to national helicopter engineering.

Russian Helicopters Holding presented their multi-passenger transport helicopter for the first time, the mid-class Ka-62, developed by Kamov JSC, which has been created with the latest technology and modern materials. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, and the Minister of Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov solemnly presented the Ka-62. Rogozin gave a high assessment of the new machine, and noted that to date, Russia has big plans for the development of modern helicopter equipment, and not only for military purposes. Certification of the helicopter is scheduled for 2014. Russian Helicopters built more than 300 helicopters worth 150 billion rubles in 2012. The company holds a leading market position in Russia, the CIS, India and China.

Sergei Sikorsky, son of the legendary aircraft designer Igor Sikorsky said on domestic production: “My assessment of the Russian helicopter industry is very positive. Russians build first-class helicopters, which are sold around the world,” adding that Russia produces helicopters of world class standard.

Russian-Czech company RUMAS Group prepared the Rumas 10 light 2-seater coaxial helicopter model for demonstration, as well as its version of a fire extinguishing system for high-rise structures designed by the company. The helicopter is equipped with a unique air blaster capable of aiming powder at the heart of the fire.

During the three-day business programme, participants of HeliRussia 2012 discussed a number of problematic issues and concluded business agreements that will contribute to the development of the Russian helicopter industry. On the agenda today is strengthening Russia’s position in the global market by improving competitiveness.

UTair-Engineering entered into an agreement with Turbomeca to establish a service centre for the maintenance of engines and components before the end of 2012.

Russian Helicopters Holding concluded a sponsorship agreement with the Formula 1 Caterham team, in which Russian driver Vitaly Petrov participates. The Russian Helicopters logo will be both presented on the car and Vitaly Petrov’s kit.

Ulyanovsk Instrument Design Bureau, which is part of Aircraft Engineering Concern, showed the CCD-17 Mi-171A2 complex avionics at the exhibition – an upgraded version of the Mi-8/17 family. As part of this complex, the helicopter series has been designed according to the “glass cockpit” principle for the first time.

At the key scientific and practical “Russia 2050+: dialogue of science and business” table, the participants discussed the long-term prospects for the global development of Russia in its main directions. This is the second in a series of round tables planned by the Council for the Study of Productive Forces devoted to the image of Russia for the future. Theoretical proposals were first tested in the business community, and serve as the basis for the formation of advanced design solutions in various areas of life that may provide a substantial increase in the competitiveness of the Russian economy and ensure the development of strategic interests of the state.

“Russia and air ambulance medical evacuation – 2012” Interdepartmental Scientific-Practical Conference. Representatives of state agencies, and medicine, pilots, engineers and other interested parties presented their proposals for a vast range of issues on the reconstruction of sanitary aviation in Russia.

The “Helicopter Market: Reality and Prospects” International Conference was organized by the Helicopter Industry Association and AviaPort industry agency. The conference discussed the parameters of the Russian helicopter market from the perspective of consumers and producers of helicopters, with the participation of representatives of leading operators and manufacturers of helicopters. The conference heard reports the global helicopter market predictions from Honeywell, on the US helicopter market from the Helicopter Association International, and on the Russian helicopter market. For the first time, information was provided on the status and future helicopter market of Ukraine.

Safety is always a current topic for aviation – the Helicopter Industry Association held a “New technologies of helicopter safety management” seminar, which focused on the experience of foreign colleagues.

A round table was devoted to innovations in the helicopter industry – “Condensed gas aviation concentrated fuel – a real alternative to traditional aviation fuel”, which was conducted by the Expert Council on Current Scientific, Technical and Socio-Economic Issues under the aegis of the Vice-Speaker of the State Duma of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, together with the Central Aerohydrodynamics Institute, the Information-Analytical System for Monitoring Aircraft Airworthiness and Interaviagaz.

Famous watch brand Hamilton awarded the “Golden Eagles” Russian helicopter pilot group unique special model watches from their aircraft line, dedicated to the pilots, the KHAKI X-COPTER, with a limited edition of 50.

For five years, the HeliRussia team has been improving its organizational experience, making arrangements for the helicopter industry at a high technical level. We are confident that the next exhibition will be even more interesting for its participants, and the results achieved here will benefit the helicopter industry and progress in general.