TAT may provide Mi-26s (225 words)

Published: 10/25/2000

On the 20th October two executives from the UK's largest helicopter operator Bristow Helicopters visited Surgut based operator Tyumenaviatrans . The executives Chris Fry, Bristow's Commercial Director and Paul Gliddon, International Sales Director met with TAT General Director Andrey Martirsov , reportedly to discuss cooperation on the use of the TAT fleet of 16 Mi-26 heavy lift helicopters. Currently only 6 Mi-26s are reported to be flyable and are chartered to UN operations in Africa. According to Martirsov the possible cooperation has benefits for both sides, given that while TAT has a number of heavy lift helicopters it remains very weak in the light aircraft. It is therefore actively seeking a replacement for its medium weight Mi-8Ts, which it considers uneconomical for many of the charters that the operator undertakes on behalf of clients. Bristow however, has a fleet of light helicopters raising the possibility of a cooperation agreement. The need for cooperation becoming increasingly pressing for TAT given the costs of operating the 125 Mi-8T, and their decreasing availability with only 28% of the Mi-8Ts reported to be available for charter. During the visit the team from Bristow saw demonstrations of the Mi-26, lifting 18 tonnes according to reports and the Mi-8MTW. The latter, actually a higher-powered Mi-17 based on the airframe of the MI-8 despite its designation.

Article ID: 2152