Russian Helicopters Holding Company has presented its Ansat helicopter with a comfortable VIP cabin in Aurus brand style for the first time at the MAKS 2019 international aviation and space salon. The cabin has been designed by specialists of Russian Helicopters and NAMI (Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute).

Apart from computer modelling, to create optimum ergonomic design, the design of the cabin was produced using tests in which people with various measurements took part. The Ansat helicopter is said to have the largest cabin in its class. Combined with the design, this provides more space for passengers.

“Aurus is a premium brand which is becoming Russia's signature. Now it includes both cars and aircraft of the same style that are as comfortable as cars. It is no wonder that the Ansat has been chosen as a base: this is a state-of-the-art helicopter whose advantages have already been appreciated both in Russia and abroad. The new version of the Ansat confirms that this is a multi-purpose helicopter and that there is great potential for its transformation to meet the requirements of various customers," says aviation cluster industrial director of the Rostec State Corporation Anatoliy Serdyukov.

The helicopter has a light protection system with touch control. This technology has been used for the first time for a helicopter's VIP cabin. Individual lights and gaspers ensure additional comfort for each passenger. There are also jacks for charging devices.

“We have managed to implement this project in the shortest possible time in close cooperation with our colleagues from NAMI. We began to develop the interior in April 2019 immediately after the design was approved. I would like to note that this is not just a new cabin, but a completely new approach to corporate transportation services: ten changes to the helicopter's design were made to make it more ergonomic. I am convinced that the Ansat will complement the Aurus range perfectly, and soon, after we finish tests, we will be ready to receive orders for the new machine,” explains Andrey Boginsky, director general of Russian Helicopters Holding Company.

CEO of NAMI Sergey Gaysin adds: “At the suggestion of Russian Helicopters, NAMI specialists eagerly began to work on the luxury version of the Ansat helicopter. The expertise of Russian specialists in engineering, design and marketing gained when Aurus car was created allowed us to make a product meeting the highest international standards within a short time frame. Collaboration with Russian Helicopters Holding Company is the first step to so expand the Aurus brand that it makes not only cars.”

The light multi-purpose Ansat helicopter was designed by the Kazan Helicopters design office. The machine is equipped with two engines and can be used for normal passenger and VIP transport, cargo delivery, environmental monitoring and as an air medical helicopter. High-altitude tests of Ansat have been successfully completed, which confirmed the possibility of its use in mountainous terrain at altitudes up to 3,500 metres. The helicopter can be operated in a temperature range between -45 degrees Celsius and +50.