Rotorcraft
Mi-171s One Hero after Chinese Earthquake
Operators of Mil helicopters meeting at Russia’s Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (UUAP) in late July heard how the Mil-171 led rescue operations for victims of the

Operators of Mil helicopters meeting at Russia’s Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (UUAP) in late July heard how the Mil-171 led rescue operations for victims of the recent earthquake in China’s Sichuan province. Of the 137 Russian, Chinese, French and U.S. helicopters involved in the effort, 74 were Mi-171s, and these were responsible for rescuing more than 37,000 people (of a total of around 60,000). The Russian rotorcraft also delivered more than 100,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid and in some cases carried more than 50 people on each flight.

The Mi-8/171 series of helicopters has been operating in the People’s Republic since 1972 and there are now more than 300 in service there. The Ulan-Ude plant has been responsible for exports to China since 1993.

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