Ansat Preps for Final Stage of Certification

Russian rotorcraft maker Kazan primped its Ansat light-twin helicopter before representatives of operators from 20 countries during a company-wide open house held at the company factory last month. Kazan officials maintained that the 7,275-lb helicopter, under development off and on since 1994, will enter the final phase of its certification flight testing this month, with the ultimate goal of Russian certification and a green light for mass production about six months later. Those same officials also maintained that the international meeting resulted in some sales, although just how many they declined to say. The company claims to have sold 100 Ansats to the Russian Army flight school. Of all-Russian construction (except for the two Pratt & Whitney PW207s that will power production models), the Kazan Ansat will be the first commercial fly-by-wire rotorcraft ever to enter service.