Over the period of 11 years, HeliRussia - the largest Russian and European expo demonstrating the whole range of products and services of the helicopter industry, has been held in Moscow. This year HeliRussia 2018 was held from 24 to 26 May and showed an eventful and interesting exhibition program, familiarizing the participants with the achievements of domestic and world helicopter manufacturing industry.
Every year the expo is supported at the highest level. Greetings to guests, participants and organizers of the event were sent by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Yury Borisov, the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov, the Head of Rosaviatsiya Alexander Neradko.
The opening ceremony was attended by: the Assistant for Military Technical Cooperation of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Kozhin, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government for the Defense Industry Complex Yury Borisov, the Director of the Aviation Industry Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Ravil Khakimov, the Head of Rosaviatsiya Alexander Neradko, Deputy Director of the Federal Service of Military Technical Cooperation Anatoly Punchuk, the Industrial Director of Aviation Cluster of the Rostec State Corporation Anatoly Serdyukov, CEO of Russian Helicopters Andrey Boginsky, CEO of UTair Airlines Andrey Martirosov and Chairman of Board of the Helicopter Industry Association Mikhail Kazachkov.
This year's expo included 246 companies, of which 49 are foreign ones. The international participation remains at a traditionally high level – 19 countries were presented at the expo: Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Iran, Italy, Libya, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russia, Spain and USA. For comparison, 44 foreign companies from 15 countries participated in the event in 2016, and last year 50 foreign companies from 21 countries visited the anniversary expo. The development of Russian-French cooperation should also be noted: the joint stand of the French companies was again presented under the auspices of the French Association of Aerospace Industry (GIFAS).
The exhibition area increased by 9% and amounted to 13,100 square meters. The number of visitors to HeliRussia 2018 was about 12,000 people.
HeliRussia’s program was traditionally eventful, which included 59 events - round tables, conferences, presentations, master classes, awards ceremonies for the winners of sectoral competitions. In total, more than 1,000 people attended the events with mandatory registration of participants.
This year the business program of HeliRussia 2018 included both regular and new business events. Among the permanent events, the conferences were held on the helicopter market, helicopter airborne equipment, HEMS, interaction with unmanned aircraft. The new events involved the subjects of helicopter engine manufacturing, agricultural aviation and the international military technical cooperation. The organized conferences and round tables received the most positive feedback from the participants.
18 helicopters had been demonstrated at HeliRussia 2018. The first series-produced Mi-171A2 transferred to the UTair–Helicopter Services, and the modernized military transport Mi-171Sh with a new main rotor system and a wide range of armaments and additional equipment, were presented at the open exposition in front of the entrance. The three novelties of this year in the light segment were demonstrated in the exhibition hall: the Russian Helicopters’ VRT500, the first in Russia Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, as well as a prototype of the Kasatka 505 helicopter of Design Bureau Agan Aircrafts Group.
Visitors could also see the other helicopters of the leading world manufacturers: Bell-407GXP and Robinson R66 (USA), Airbus Helicopters Bo-105, EC120B, EC130, EC130B4, H125, Leonardo AW109 Grand New and Heli-Sport CH-77 Ranabot (Europe), as well as the domestic ones: Mi-2 with a new powerplant, a new prototype of the ultralight Mikron coaxial helicopter, modernized Ansat with new medical module.
The 12 models of unmanned aerial vehicles could be seen at the expo. The Moscow Aviation Institute presented three models – Voron-700, Korshun-1 and the special research quadcopter; Radar MMS demonstrated Breeze; Geosakan – models 201 and 401; Zala Aero Group brought the models 421-08M, 421-16E, 421-16EM and 421-22. In the UAV segment, two premieres took place at HeliRussia 2018: the SKYF experimental unique air cargo platform from the Experimental Design Bureau Aviaresheniya and the Sirius satellite drone from the Scientific-Production Association “Aviation and Space Technologies”.
The expo showcased the widest range of equipment for helicopters. The Russian premiere of the Anteo family engine from the French developer Safran Helicopter Engines is one of the highlights, along with a prototype of the on-board helicopter crew situational awareness system, developed by "Airborne Navigation Systems" (BANS).
As always, high business activity was noted at HeliRussia 2018. For example, the State Transport Leasing Company (STLC) has signed a number of agreements for leasing of Mi-8AMT, Mi-8MTV and Ansat helicopters to a number of Russian airline companies, including: Russian Helicopter Systems, PANH, Skol, Yeltsovka, Vologda Aviation Enterprise, Aerogeo, Vyatkaavia, Naryan-Mar Air and Vityazaero. In total, the Russian Helicopters is to supply 31 helicopters to the STLC this year for subsequent transfer to leasing. Also at the expo the Russian Helicopters had transferred the first Ka-226T helicopter to the Federal National Guard Troops Service (Rosgvardiya). The Helicopter Industry Association had signed cooperation agreements with the Union of Aviation Engine-Building Association and with the Russian United Business Aviation Association (RUBAA).
The awarding of winners of the following industry competitions took place on the main stage: Beauty of Rotorcraft Machines, XXI Century Helicopters, The Best General Purpose Aviation Aerodrome of Russia, as well as the awarding the winners of the Championship of Professional Mastership among employees of the Russian Helicopters enterprises according to the WorldSkills standards and awarding the winners of the 2nd HeliRussia Drone-racing Cup. In addition, the 60th anniversary of helicopter sport was also celebrated at HeliRussia 2018.
The 11th International Helicopter Industry Exhibition HeliRussia 2018 was held in accordance with the Russian Federation Government Decree No.2403-p dated 30 October 2017. The organizer of the exhibition is the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, the host of the exhibition is Russian Exhibition Systems, the title sponsor is Russian Helicopters, the linguistic partner is EGO Translating SB. The expo is held by the initiative and with the support of the Helicopter Industry Association.
Next year, HeliRussia 2019 will be held in Moscow on 23-25 May.
