Company news

Firefighting works were performed on a charity basis by reinforced air crew consisting of flight commander, chief of aviation group N.A. Naida, pilots in command S.V. Nozdrin, A.I. Mindarev, A.N. Gripas, co-pilot S.V. Savchenko, flight engineers E.U. Suchkin, I.V. Volokhovich, aircraft technicians V.E. Rodin and A.V. Korovnichenko

During the work of air crew the situation in Kaluga region was complex: large areas of forests and peat lands were on fire. As IA REGNUM News agency informed, the wildfire had destroyed a half of a Bukreevo village, one man had got hurt. Tight smoke covered all the territory of Kaluga region and created difficulties in piloting the helicopter.

In the process of aviation works in Kaluga region from 07/08 to 17/08 the air crew of the Aviation Company had flown 60 hours and made 441 water dumping with total quantity 1234 tones of water over the fire spots. The main task of firefighters of Kaluga region and Ukrainian air specialists during the firefighting was to localize the fire approaching to villages and industrial buildings situated near woodlands. Ten villages and big squares of woods were saved during the period of work.

For successful performance of aviation works the members of the air crew of Aviation Company’s helicopter were encouraged by the governor of  Kaluga region A.D. Artamonov who presented them a wristwatch. In his telegram addressed to V.V. Tkachenko, the Chairman of the Board – Director General of PJSC “AC “Ukrainian helicopters”, A.D. Artamonov expressed his gratitude to the leadership of “Ukrainian helicopters” and to all crew members of Mi-8MTV-1 “for courage and professionalism demonstrated during firefighting on the territory of Kaluga region.” He has also pointed out “… Your personal participation and active assistance in firefighting stopped widespread extermination of woodlands and settlements of our region. Your work is a real input into development of friendship between Russia and Ukraine”.

In August 16 ^th, according to the instruction of Russian Government, the crew of Mi-8MTV helicopter arrived to the airdrome “Ramenskoe” together with members of all foreign air crews who took part in firefighting. In August 17 ^th, in formal atmosphere, Russian Prime-Minister Vladimir V. Putin thanked the crews and their respective governments for the performed work. He presented “Aviator” wristwatches to the best crew chiefs. Nikolai Naida was among them. Sergei Shoigu, head of the Ministry of Emergency of Russian Federation presented honorable distinctions of his ministry to pilots. However, the result of pilot’s work – liquidation of fire danger in Kaluga region was of the greatest importance for airmen.

After returning to “Zhuliany” airdrome  (Kiev) in August 18 ^th the air crew of Mi-8MTV helicopter took up duty on firefighting in Ukraine according to the request from the Ministry of Emergency of Ukraine.

As per the decree of the President of Ukraine № 1-1/1664 dated 02.08.2010 and the decision of the Ministry of Emergency of Ukraine № 08-10556/26 dated 06.08.2010 for the implementation of the Agreement between Ukrainian and Russian Federation governments regarding the cooperation in preventing the industrial accidents, catastrophes, natural disasters and mitigation of their consequences dated 23.04.2010, the helicopter of aviation company “Ukrainian helicopters” Mi-8 MTV carried out a positioning flight on 07.08.2010 to Grabtsevo airdrome, Kaluzhskaya oblast, Russian Federation for performing the air operations on fighting the large scale forest fires.

Upon arrival the aircraft crew members studied the air navigational situation in the region of tasking and as of 10.10.2010 the helicopter already had 14 flight hours. 92 water drops with total volume of 257 000 litres have been made over the fires using the Helicopter Bucket -5. Each of such water drops with 2800 litres capacity helibucket allows to cover the fire region of 1050 square m.

The crew tasking is coordinated directly by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations representatives in Kaluzhskaya oblast who also provide the crew with whatever is necessary for efficient work performance.

The aerial work on the fire fighting is carried out by the crew under pilot-in-command Nozdrin Sergei Vasylevich who possesses a vast experience of extinguishing the forest fires in Portugal and Turkey.

On its part the aviation company “Ukrainian helicopters” management takes all possible measures to ensure that the operations on the fire fighting are not disrupted for any reason. The communication with the crew is established and constantly maintained.

23.04.10 - Two more aircraft of the aviation company were timely positioned to UNAMID mission in Sudan

"Ukrainian Helicopters" company used its experience and knowledge and has done its best, in order to have another two Mi-8 MTV-1 aircraft positioned to UNAMID mission area (Darfur).

April 14 was determined as the positioning date, and in April 15 two aircraft of "Ukrainian Helicopters" started their work rendering air transportation services for UN thus demonstrating an exemplary entrance of aircrafts into the contract. Taking this into the consideration, the leadership of UNAMID mission expressed its gratitude to the aviation company.

At the present time, 20 helicopters Mi-8 MTV-1 aircraft of the air company take part in United Nations Organization's peace-support missions: 10 aircraft - in Darfur (the Republic of Sudan), 5 aircraft - in the Southern Sudan, 2 aircraft - in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2 helicopters - in Haiti and 1 - in the Ivory Coast.