Not long before the MAKS 2011 air show this summer, the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant (a subsidiary of the Russian Helicopters holding company) completed two prototypes of the upgraded Mi-34C1 light helicopter Ц the OP-1 (side number 343) trainer version for Russian Air Force flying schools and the OP-2 (side number 342) for commercial operators. The prototype of the commercial version of the Mi-34C1 made its first hover on the premises of Mil in Tomilino, Moscow Region, early in August. Honoured Test Pilot Sergei Barkov took it for its maiden mission on a circuit flight on 4 August 2011 and practiced a demonstration set of manoeuvres for display during MAKS 2011.

During the show in Zhukovsky, the black-painted Mi-34C1 (OP-2) was shown at the Russian Helicopters display area and flew demo flights virtually every day, while the military version prototype, the OP-1, wearing the new grey paintjob of the Russian Air Force, could be seen at static display near OboronрromТs pavilion.

The upgraded machine differs from the Mi-34C built by Progress in Arsenyev in a more powerful engine, the nine-cylinder piston M9FV with forced air cooling and a takeoff power of 365 hp; introduction of hydraulic actuators to the helicopter control system; modified nose section, and a number of other features aimed at enhancing its efficiency, reliability and service life. At the customerТs request, the traditional Сsteam-gaugeТ instruments can be replaced with the Сall-glassТ cockpit, with all data shown on colour multifunction LCDs.

The Mi-34C1 can be used for training of military and commercial pilots, for sports and for handling a wide range of tasks inherent in all light helicopters. It seats three passengers and a pilot or carries 400 kg of cargo and flies at a maximum speed of 220 km/h (cruising speed of 180 km/h) to a distance of 450 km (910 km with additional tanks) with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,450 kg.

The completion of the trials and issuance of the type certificate supplement are slated for late this year. Then, the Mi-34C1 will enter production at the Progress joint stock company (Russian Helicopters subsidiary). Deliveries are to commence in September 2012. The UTair company has already ordered 10 machines for its training centre. Keen interest in the Mi-34C1 also has been displayed in Europe, where the new aircraft is far less expensive than its Western rivals are, but is similar or even better in terms of performance. Russian Helicopters also expect deliveries to Russian Air Force fluing schools. УWe count on a market of 1,000 helicopters in various versionsФ, Mil Designer General Alexei Samusenko stressed.