Mi-38 3rd Prototype Makes First Flight

December 17, 2013 -- Moscow -- Russian Helicopters and United Engine Corporation (UEC), subsidiaries of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec, announce the successful start of testing of the third prototype Mi-38 helicopter fitted with Russian-built TV7-117V engines. The new engines have been specially developed for the new transport and passenger helicopter by Klimov, a UEC company. The third prototype of the Mi-38 made its first flight on 29 November 2013. As part of its testing plan, the Mi-38 completed a circuit of the flight-testing centre of Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, the Russian Helicopters company that developed the helicopter, at the National Helicopter Development Centre in the Moscow region town of Tomilino. The Mi-38 with new Russian-built TV7-117V engines first took to the skies on 13 November when it completed testing in hover mode. The positive test results open the way for a swift transition to the start of in-house certification tests to Russian AP-29 standards.