Russia's Golden Eagles helicopter pilots group celebrates 20th anniversary

Friday, 27 April 2012 11:17

Source: Russian Helicopters

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Golden Eagles, the pilots group that is the symbolic calling card of the Russian helicopter industry.

Based at the Russian Army's Flight Training Centre in Torzhok, the Golden Eagles are one of the few helicopter pilots groups anywhere in the world to perform flight acrobatics in both the horizontal and vertical positions at low altitude.

Russian Helicopters, a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters and producer of some of the world’s most iconic, innovative and widely operated models, congratulates the Golden Eagles on their 20th anniversary.

It is the Golden Eagles’ stunts in the renowned Mi-24 attack helicopters that spectators see at the Zhukovsky air shows near Moscow; and these helicopters took part in ceremonial parades of military hardware on Red Square.

The pilots will mark this anniversary in new helicopters – the Mi-28N Night Hunter, which was adopted as the Russian Armed Forces main attack helicopter by presidential decree from 15 October 2009, and the all-weather day-night Ka-52 Alligator, which Russian Helicopters supplies under the state defence procurement programme.

To mark the occasion, Russian Helicopters' new light, multi-role Ansat-U were demonstrated in Torzhok, alongside the Mi-26, the heaviest-lift helicopter in the world, and the stalwart Mi-8 – the fleet of training, multi-role and military transport helicopters is constantly being upgraded.

The foundation stone of a memorial to pilots who died in the line of duty was also laid.

Russian Helicopters, JSC is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of Russian Technologies State Corporation. It is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. Over 8000 helicopters of Soviet/Russian make are operated in 110 countries worldwide. Traditionally the demand is highest in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Russia, and CIS countries. Russian Helicopters was established in 2007. In 2011 its IFRS revenues increased 27.8% to RUB 103.9 billion. Deliveries reached 262 helicopters.

Partners of Russian Helicopters: AirTaxi Service (interior completions and maintenance); Tranzas (software, navigation systems, aviation simulators); CSTS Dinamika (technical training means for aviation flight and engineering personnel); BETA AIR (testing equipment and aviation electronics); Ural Works of Civil Aviation (repair of helicopter engines and components, as well as gearboxes).

UIC Oboronprom, JSC is a multi-profile industrial and investment group established in 2002. It is a part of Russian Technologies State Corporation. Its main tasks include: helicopter engineering (Russian Helicopters, JSC) and engine-building (United Engine Industry Corporation managing company).