Mi-26: The World's Largest Helicopter5 photos

Welcome aboard the world's largest commercially produced helicopter. You might be surprised to learn that, when placed next to a Boeing 737, it is actually longer! Moreover, its rotor diameter is 4 meters larger than the wingspan of a standard Boeing 737.

This giant aircraft can be compared to an ant because it is one of the few helicopters capable of carrying a load nearly equal to its own weight. Not only that, but it can also transport this 20-ton payload up to 800 kilometers from its base.

Developed in the mid-1970s, the Mi-26 has continued to be produced in various versions, including military transport, passenger, civil transport, aerial crane, medical, and more.

Over the years, 310 Mi-26s have been deployed in military and civilian services around the world, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Venezuela, India, China, and even Laos and Peru.

The story of the Mi-26's development began in the early 1970s as a replacement for the renowned Mi-6. The growing needs of both the Soviet Armed Forces and the Soviet economy demanded a new helicopter capable of transporting heavy loads over long distances and operating at high altitudes.The prototype of this new generation helicopter was approved by the Soviet Ministry of Aviation in December 1971, with O. V. Bakhov appointed as the chief designer.

The construction of the Mi-26 prototype began in 1972, and it was accepted by the state commission three years later. By 1975, V. V. Shutov had taken over as the chief designer.On December 14, 1977, the Mi-26 made its maiden flight, staying in the air for about 3 minutes. The flight was conducted by a team led by the company's chief test pilot, G. R. Karapetyan.

The first Mi-26s were delivered directly to the Soviet Armed Forces, and it took several years before civilian versions began to appear.

For example, the Mi-26T with the registration number RA-06031, which is the subject of today's story, was produced in August 1990. It was first operated by Aeroflot of the Soviet Union and later by UTair in Russia, where it is currently used in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug.

Its permanent base is located at the Surgut airport.