Russian Helicopters has delivered the first serial-produced Mi-38 helicopter with a new, 10-passenger “highly comfortable” executive cabin configuration. The delivery to Gazprombank Leasing took place earlier this week at the Kazan Helicopters facility.

“The delivery of the first serial Mi-38 is an important step, confirming that Kazan Helicopters is ready for serial delivery of this type of machine to both commercial operators and governments. The demand forecast of potential buyers for Mi-38 by 2030 is more than 100 aircraft,” said Russian Helicopters director-general Andrei Boginsky. 

The multipurpose, super-medium Mi-38 twin is designed to fill the niche between Russian Helicopters’ Mi-8 and heavy Mi-26 models. It is suitable for missions such as cargo, passenger transport, search-and-rescue, air ambulance, and offshore support. The Mi-38 features twin Klimov TV7-117V engines, Transas Aviation glass cockpit avionics, a six-blade main rotor, and rotor anti-ice. Range with auxiliary tanks is 648 nm. Maximum takeoff weight is 15.6 tonnes and maximum payload—internal and external—is five tonnes.