A NEW civil variant of the Russian Helicopters Mil Mi-8AMT for Arctic operations has started serial production at the company's Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant in Buryatia, Siberia, after flight-testing and regulatory acceptance by Rosaviatsiya (Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport). A key change to make the Mi-8AMT suitable for polar conditions is a heating system for the rotor transmission to enable quick engine starts in extremely low temperatures. The Arctic variant also features improved thermal protection of the cargo cabin and "thermal insulation shutters" for the cockpit and sliding cabin doors. There are protective covers and the power-hoses are made from cold-resistant Teflon instead of rubber. The manufacturer said the Arctic Mi-8AMT can operate over rough terrain, at night and in poor weather when communications links are down. Two additional fuel tanks extend range to 755nm (1,400km), and there is an emergency floatation system for over-water operations. Russian Helicopters' director general Andrey Boginsky believes the new variant "will be sought after by many Russian companies and government agencies implementing projects and tasks in the Arctic [region]" He added: The first rotorcraft is ready to start operation, and negotiations with several potential Russian customers are under way".
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