OREANDA-NEWS. Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, held the annual open-doors day at the National Helicopter Building Centre (NHBC) in the Moscow region town of Tomilino.

Organised jointly with the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) and the Administration of the Lyuboretsky District of Moscow Region, the event drew groups from schools in Lyuboretsky District, students of the Moscow Region College of Industry Technology, the V.A. Kazakov Aviation College in Zhukovsky, as well as children of Russian Helicopters employees. More than 500 people attended in total.

NHBC employees told visitors about the history of helicopter manufacturing in Russia and employment opportunities at Russian Helicopters enterprises, and demonstrated some of the latest helicopter models. There was also a tour of the Moscow Mil Helicopter Plant, part of Russian Helicopters. Guests visited a memorial museum dedicated to the legendary designer of the Mi-brand helicopters, Mikhail Mil, as well as a static display, and also got on board a V-12, the heaviest-lift helicopter in history, which made its debut flight in 1968 and a year later set a world record by lifting a cargo of 44,205 kg to a height of 2,255 m – a record that stands to this day. At the Le Bourget salon in 1971 the V-12 was awarded the Igor Sikorsky Prize for outstanding achievement in helicopter construction.

Today this V-12 serves as a museum of heavy-lift helicopters, housing a display about the history of this class of rotorcraft.
Svetlana Krinitskaya, HR director of Russian Helicopters, told visitors: “Here, at one of our country’s leading scientific and technical clusters, the National Helicopter Building Centre, we are all proud of our country and of the scientists, designers and engineers who create great helicopters and develop unique technologies. Perhaps what you have seen will inspire some of you in your future career and education, and you will also make your contribution to the development of Russian helicopter building.” 

Boris Artamonov, Deputy Head of the Helicopter Construction Department at MAI, told students about the work of his department, which is located at the NHBC, and also explained how to enrol for study at the institute with the possibility of subsequent employment at Russian Helicopters enterprises. Today students who study at MAI on related courses are given the opportunity to combine their studies with work at the renowned Kamov and Mil design bureaus, so they can not only acquire practical experience but also receive a salary in addition to their student funding.

The highlight of the open day was a demonstration flight of the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter. The crew performed several manoeuvres and flew a full circle over the NHBC.

Russian Helicopters enterprises across the country regularly hold open-doors days, and participate in regional celebrations as well as holding their own. The aim is to promote the Russian helicopter industry and increase the prestige of engineering specialisms, as well as to attract young people to the sector to learn about its innovations and achievements in practice. Russian Helicopters will hold the next open-doors day at the NHBC in autumn 2013.