The Ukrainian civil aviation authority and KB Vertical have begun certification trials of the country's first indigenously developed helicopter, the KT-112 twin. The type, which received experimental certification in April, is undergoing testing to AP-27 certification, which is harmonised with US FAR Part 27 rules. Type certification is expected within a year, following completion of 250 test flights.
The KT-112 is the baseline version in the Angel family of helicopters under development at KB Vertical since 1999.
The four-seat helicopter has a 925kg (2,040lb) maximum take-off weight, 545kg empty weight and is powered by two 95hp (71kW) Rotax 912 ULS piston engines driving a three-blade main rotor and two-blade tail propeller, via a ZMKB Progress developed gearbox. ZMKB Progress is developing a 150hp rotary piston engine for the helicopter. Basic price for the helicopter is set at $220,000.
The Ukraine government has issued a request for 27 helicopters that will be used as patrol aircraft by the national road police. Russian and Ukrainian fossil fuel companies have also expressed interest in the KT-112 for pipeline patrol, and the Ukrainian air force is evaluating the KT-112 trainer version with dual controls.
To date, the helicopters have been assembled at the Kiev-based Aviant state aviation plant, formerly KiGAZ, but plans are under way to establish a production line that is expected to manufacture 50 aircraft a year.
The first experimental prototype flew in March 2003 and clocked up 120 flying hours. A production conforming prototype made its first flight in March and has notched up 15 flying hours to date, reaching speeds of 65kt (120km/h) and a ceiling of 330ft (100m), says KB Vertical.
Work is now under way on a third prototype that will be used for static testing.
Source: Flight International
