Kazan Helicopters buy Pratt & Whitney engines

Kazan Helicopters buy Pratt & Whitney engines
21 June 2001

Kazan Helicopters, the Russian manufacturer of Mil series helicopters, have signed a purchase order for an initial 20 Pratt & Whitney PW207K engines to power the Kazan built light-utility Ansat helicopter.

The Ansat weighs in at 3000 kg with a capacity for up to 9 passengers; it has a cruise speed of some 135kt (250 kph) over a range of 350nm (520km). Terms have not been disclosed but it is understood that the PW207K will in due course replace the existing Klimov-built Pratt & Whitney PK206C engines fitted to the prototype version of the Ansat.

The Ansat is the first new light helicopter to be completely developed and manufactured by Kazan Helicopters. It is designed to meet FAR-29 international standards and is scheduled to receive certification from Russian regulatory authorities in the second half of 2002.

Kazan Helicopters hope to exploit the export market, and type-role the Ansat as a light utility transporter, passenger, emergency-rescue, training or patrol helicopter. Kazan Helicopter Plant general director, Alexander Lavrentyev, has said that the Ansat is directly targeted at the Eurocopter BK117 market. Claims have been made that the Ansat would be offered at one-third of the BK 117's price of $3.3 million.


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