OREANDA-NEWS. On 07 July 2008 was announced, that the Eurocopter AS 350B3 helicopter entered in the certificate of UTair Aviation operator. UTair’s air fleet will be supplemented with 2 helicopters of this type during summer 2008. These helicopters were bought within company’s “Light multipurpose helicopter” project which target is to expand the range of services provided to customers. AS 350B3 helicopters will be involved mainly in geological prospecting and geophysicist operations.

Since 2006 UTair successfully operates with light helicopters manufactured by Eurocopter. Their advantages are already appreciated by UTair clients: AS 355N and ВО-105 helicopters perform VIP-clients transportation, oil- and gas-pipelines patrolling, photography and video filming, external loaded cargos delivery, and also perform flights within medical purposes.

Within the AS 350B3 helicopter examination program UTair pilots have passed the course of theoretical and practical (flying) training in the “Eurocopter training centre” (France), and perform training flights in Russia at present. Air company will start commercial flights on helicopters of this type.

UTair and Eurocopter actively develop cooperation: air company got in February 2008 status of the first purchaser of EC 175 helicopter—the new model of worldwide industry leader. Russian operator will receive 15 helicopters since 2012 with possibility to get the purchase option for another 15 aircrafts.

In the nearest future Russian helicopter operator UTair and Eurocopter will start implementation of the large-scale joint project on creation integrated centre of maintenance and operation of Eurocopter helicopters in Russia.