Half a century ago, the legendary helicopter opened the way to the sky for a family of thousands of G8s. Mi-8 helicopters took part in local conflicts, saved thousands of lives, withstood severe Siberian frosts, heat, temperature changes, desert dust and tropical downpours. Over the years of operation, about 130 different modifications were created. Today, Mi-8/17 helicopters remain the best in their class and are operated in more than 100 countries around the world.

By the end of the 1950s, the era of piston engines was coming to an end: progress in the development of turbojet and turboprop engines with a more favorable weight-to-power ratio dictated the need to use such engines on helicopters. By this time, American and European helicopter manufacturing companies were producing light helicopters with turboshaft engines (TVD) in small series.

In 1955, the Piasecki Helicopter company built a 15-ton giant twin-rotor longitudinal YH-16A Transporter with two 2650 hp turbojet engines. With. every. In 1959, Mikhail Mil was able to lift the Mi-6 into the air - the largest and heaviest helicopter in the world with a take-off weight of 40 tons and a payload capacity of 6–12 tons. The success of the Milevites was facilitated not only by the type of engines used on the Mi-6, but also by their layout above the fuselage. This became the decisive factor for choosing the V-8 design - the future Mi-8.

Chance helped in the creation of the Mi-8 helicopter. During Nikita Khrushchev's visit to the United States, he was given a ride on the Sikorsky S-58 presidential helicopter. Upon his return, Nikita Sergeevich demanded that a similar machine be built. The executive helicopter was manufactured on the basis of the Mi-4. Khrushchev really liked him. Taking advantage of the situation, Mil proposed creating an even more comfortable and economical car.

In those years, special helicopter gas turbine engines were not produced in the USSR, and for the first single-engine prototype V-8 they decided to adapt the Ai-24 aircraft engine from the A. G. Ivchenko Design Bureau.

In total, two experimental single-engine V-8s were built, in the design of which a lot was borrowed from the Mi-4 - almost the entire dynamic system. In 1961, the first B-8 took part in the Tushino air parade and the Exhibition of National Economic Achievements. The second prototype was created in the fall of the same year and was intended for ground endurance testing.

It seemed that the future of the helicopter was largely assured. However, when considering the airborne transport option, the military demanded for greater safety that the helicopter be made twin-engine and the power of the power plant increased, which dictated the need to create a new main gearbox. OKB A.G. Ivchenko for a number of reasons did not take up this work, and it became clear that the problem that had arisen should be solved differently.

The OKB of S.P. Izotov had the opportunity to create a new helicopter theater and main gearbox, and already in 1962, OKB specialists handed over to the Milevians the first copies of the TV2-117 - the first gas turbine engine in the USSR, designed specifically for installation on a helicopter. A new power plant consisting of two TV2-117s became the basis for a twin-engine vehicle.

Weighing just over 300 kg, each engine developed power up to 1,700 hp. s., which is 250 l. With. more than was provided for in the technical specifications. Also, the S.P. Izotov Design Bureau developed the VR-8 main gearbox for the helicopter, and the M.L. Mil Design Bureau designed a new five-blade main rotor. Thanks to this, the famous Mi-8 was created.

All these changes were implemented in the third copy, designated B-8A. The standard for mass production was the fifth car, made in a passenger version. In just three years, the experimental device turned into a reliable machine.

The production of new helicopters began in Kazan. The first production Mi-8T took off in 1965. The USSR State Commission approved the crew commander as experienced test pilot Leonid Antropov, who had extensive experience flying Mi-1 and Mi-4 helicopters. The twenty-minute flight on October 26 became his finest hour. Antropov's crew included co-pilot Boris Demchak and flight mechanic Artur Nikolaev. In June 1970, the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (U-UAZ) began serial production of Mi-8 helicopters to equip the Soviet Air Force.

Over the many years of production, the Mi-8 became the basis for many unique developments, one of them is the Mi-14 amphibious helicopter, which made its first flight on August 15, 1969 in Kazan. The lead designer of the machine was Bulat Valishev, the future chief engineer of the Kazan Helicopter Plant (KVZ).

On January 24, 1974, the first production Mi-14 made its flight. A new, more powerful TVD TV3-117 was developed specifically for the amphibious helicopter.

Equipping the Mi-8 with this power plant led to the appearance of a modernized version of the Mi-8MT, which also inherited all transmission gearboxes, shafts and tail rotor from the Mi-14. The updated machine mastered high-altitude routes and could work in hot climates. Its export version was designated Mi-17.

After the Mi-8 began operating in Afghanistan, it was equipped with modernized TV3-117VM engines, which made it possible to increase the flight altitude and improve the rate of climb characteristics, and therefore the design of the tail rotor blades was changed.

One of the areas of development of the helicopter was a deep modernization of the fuselage. Its modification, including the replacement of the doors with a ramp with an electro-hydraulic drive, made it possible to significantly reduce the time of landing, loading and unloading of cargo and equipment, and speed up the evacuation of the wounded. The export version of this machine was called Mi-171Sh.

At the turn of the century, the Mi-8MTV-5 was created. The helicopter has an additional door on the starboard side, and the left one has been significantly expanded. The number of paratrooper seats was increased to 36. The bow section was completely redesigned. It became “dolphin-shaped”, with a solid fairing that can be raised upward, under which it became possible to install a modern weather radar and new radio equipment. An enlarged hatch in the floor of the cargo compartment made it possible to use an external suspension system equipped with a weight meter and an emergency release device, as well as to increase the load capacity from 3 to 4 tons. The enlarged opening of the left door in the cargo compartment made it possible to more efficiently use a winch-loading system with a boom with a lifting capacity of 300 kg, with which you can lift two people on board at once.

Today, helicopters of the Mi-8/17/171 type are equipped with increased power VK-2500 engines and a modernized auxiliary unit, which make the use of the machine more efficient in high mountains and areas with hot climates. For the first time, KVZ test pilot Pyotr Chumakov landed on a Mi-17V-5 helicopter with the engine turned off at an altitude of 5500 m. The mountain site had dimensions of only 30 x 30 m. Thanks to the power plant, the machine reached a practical ceiling of 7900 m!

In 2014, the Russian Ministry of Defense received the latest Mi-8AMTSh-V with a modern weapons and defense system, as well as the latest flight and navigation system. And on November 25, 2015, at U-UAZ, representatives of the department accepted the first Mi-8AMTSH-VA helicopter, created specifically to ensure operation in the Arctic regions of the country.

The latest development based on the Mi-8 was the modernized Mi-171A2, designed to replace the entire variety of helicopters of the Mi-8/17/171 type. It is planned that all subsequent civil and military modifications of the family will be based on innovations that are used specifically in this project.

Main rotor The main rotor is designed to create lifting
strength and traction force, to ensure longitudinal and
lateral control of the helicopter. Rotor
consists of five blades and a main rotor hub,
mounted on the shaft of the main gearbox VR-14. For
changes in the magnitude and direction of the thrust force of the carrier
The screw serves as a swashplate.

Rotor

Rotor

Rotor

Rotor

Rotor

Rotor

Rotor

10. Rotor

11. Rotor

12. Rotor

13. Rotor

14. Rotor

15. Rotor

16. Rotor

17. Rotor

18. Rotor

19. Rotor

20. Rotor

21. Rotor

22. Rotor

Approved by UUZ MGA USSR

as a teaching aid

for secondary specialized educational institutions

civil aviation

Moscow "MACHINERY"

INTRODUCTION

Mi-8 helicopter belongs to the family of single-rotor helicopters with gas turbine engines, created at the Design Bureau of the General Designer, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Lenin Prize laureate Mikhail Leontievich Mil. The first of this family was the Mi-6 helicopter, created in 1957. The Mi-8 helicopter was created in 1961, passed state tests

Rice. 1. Mi-8 helicopter

in 1963-1965, entered service in 1966 (Fig. 1). In terms of weight category, the Mi-v helicopter belongs to class 1 helicopters.

When designing the Mi-8, the latest world achievements in science and technology in the field of helicopter engineering were taken into account, therefore, in terms of flight properties, efficiency, etc., it was significantly superior to other helicopters.

On the Mi-8 helicopter on April 19, 1964, the crew under the command of test pilot V.P. Koloshenko set two absolute world records of that time: a distance record along a closed route - 2465.736 km and a speed record - speed based on 2000 km - 201.834 km/h.

The Mi-8 helicopter was demonstrated to representatives of foreign states and companies in Vnukovo in May 1965, and also, starting in 1965, in Paris at the International Salon aeronautics and space. He stands at the level of the best modern foreign samples and is recognized as competitive in the world market. The Mi-8 helicopter was widely used in the USSR and is exported to all countries of the socialist camp and to many capitalist countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.

In 1967, on the Mi-8 helicopter, the female crew under the leadership of I. Kopets set a number of world records: distance along a closed route - 2082.224 km, speed at the base of 500 km - 273.507 km/h, speed at the base of 1000 km - 258.666 km/h, speed at the base of 2000 km -235.119 km/h.

In September 1969, the female crew of I. Kopets set a new world record for flight range - 2263 km.

The helicopter is produced in passenger and transport versions. The passenger version of the Mi-8 helicopter is designed for interregional and local transportation of passengers, luggage, mail and small-sized cargo. It is designed for 28 passengers. Passengers are seated in soft, comfortable chairs. The helicopter in the “saloon” version is even more comfortable. The passenger version of the helicopter can be easily converted into a transport, ambulance version, as well as a transport version with an increased range and with an external cargo load. The transport version of the helicopter is intended for the transportation of cargo or for official transportation of 24 passengers on folding seats. The transport version of the helicopter, just like the passenger one, can be easily converted into a sanitary one, with loads on an external sling, and into a transport version with an increased range (ferry).

The maximum take-off weight of the helicopter is 12,000 kg, normal - 11,100 kg. Maximum speed is 250 km/h, cruising speed is 220 km/h.

The helicopter is equipped with two TV2-P7A turboprop engines designed by S.P. Izotov with a take-off power of 1500 hp each. With. each, as well as a five-blade main rotor with a diameter of 21.288 m.

The helicopter is economical, highly reliable, easy to maintain and operate, has an air conditioning, heating and ventilation system, low vibration levels and a spacious pilot's cabin with good visibility. The helicopter is equipped with a four-channel autopilot AP-34B, providing
stabilization of the helicopter in pitch, roll, heading and flight altitude. The helicopter is equipped with a main rotor speed stabilizer, has modern systems, electrical, radio and navigation equipment that allows helicopter operation at night and in difficult atmospheric conditions, including in
in case of icing.

■The Mi-8 helicopter was preceded by the heaviest helicopters in the world with gas turbine engines, the Mi-6 and Mi-10.

The Mi-6 helicopter was the first winged helicopter with gas turbine engines in the Soviet Union (Fig. 2). It was created in 1957, and its mass production began in 1958.

The Mi-6 helicopter has been widely used in our country; it is exported to many countries in the socialist camp and to some capitalist countries.

From 1957 to 1964 The Mi-6 helicopter set thirteen to twelve world records for speed, range and lifting commercial cargo to altitude. World speed records based on 100, 500 and 1000 km, respectively, are 340, 315 and 300 km/h, and

Rice. 2. Mi-6 helicopter

Also, speeds of 300 km/h on a base of 1000 m with a commercial load of 1000 and 2000 kg, set by the crew under the command of test pilot V. Galitsky, are still maintained.

Also, the world speed record at the base of 1000 km is still held - 284.354 km/h with a commercial load of 5000 kg, set by test pilot V.P. Koloshenko, and the world altitude record of 4885 m with a commercial load of 10,000 kg, set by the pilot -tester R. Kaprelyan.

The maximum take-off weight of the helicopter is 42.5 tons, the maximum speed is 300 km/h, the ceiling is 4500 m. The helicopter is equipped with two D-25V gas turbine engines designed by P. A. Solovyov with a power of 5500 hp each. With. each, a five-bladed main rotor with a diameter of 35 m and a wing.

The helicopter can transport cargo both inside the cabin weighing up to 12,000 kg, and on an external sling weighing up to 8,000 kg.

The helicopter has electrical and radio equipment, is equipped with a full set of flight and navigation instruments, engine monitoring devices and individual systems that allow piloting and solving air navigation problems when flying a helicopter during the day, at night and in difficult weather conditions.

On the basis of the Mi-6 helicopter, the Mi-10 helicopter was created in 1960 (Fig. 3). This is a “flying crane” with a high chassis for transporting large cargo on an external sling.

ke. The helicopter can directly land over cargo placed on a special platform. The hydraulic gripper system secures the platform with four standard ball mounts and in 2-3 minutes the load is prepared for transportation. The indicated four standard ball mounts can be installed on various types of containers, mobile workshops or various types of self-propelled equipment, then these loads can be transported without standard platforms.

Rice. 3. Mi-10 helicopter

On May 26, 1965, on the Mi-10 helicopter, the crew under the leadership of the master of sports V.P. Koloshenko set an absolute world record for lifting commercial cargo to a height: a load of 5000 kg was lifted to a height of 7151 m. On May 28, 1965, a test pilot tatel G. Alferov lifted a commercial load of 25,105 kg to a height of 2840 m, thereby setting two absolute world records: a maximum height of 2840 m was reached with a load of 25,000 kg and a maximum load of 25,105 kg was lifted to a height of 2000 m. These world records the records are still unsurpassed.

The Mi-10 helicopter was demonstrated to representatives of foreign states and companies in Vnukovo in May 1965, and also repeatedly in Paris at the International Aeronautics and Space Salon.

The maximum take-off weight of the Mi-10 helicopter is 43,070 kg, the maximum payload is 12 tons. The flight range with a load of 12 tons is 250 km, the maximum range when refueling the main and additional tanks is 630 km. Cruising speed with a platform without loads it is 220 km/h, and with a load - 180 km/h.

Inside the cargo cabin and in special passenger containers under the helicopter fuselage, 100-120 people can be transported over a distance of 250 km. The cabin can accommodate 28 people.

The Mi-10 helicopter, like the Mi-6 helicopter, is equipped with two D-25V engines and a five-bladed main rotor with a diameter of 35 m.

Rice. 4. Mi-2 helicopter■-

The helicopter is designed for flights in difficult weather conditions day and night, so it is equipped with modern navigation equipment and an autopilot To anti-icing system. The cabin is equipped with a heating and ventilation system, and an oxygen installation is provided for high-altitude flights.

Simultaneously with the Mi-8 helicopter, in 1961, on the basis of the Mi-1 helicopter, the Mi-2 helicopter was designed with two GTD-350 turboprop engines designed by S. P. Izotov (Fig. 4). The Mi-2 helicopter has multi-purpose applications. Its passenger version has a comfortable cabin for 8 passengers, low vibration levels, and good sound insulation. The agricultural version of the Mi-2 helicopter stores up to 900 kg of pesticides in the form of powder or liquid in two tanks. In a sleigh? The packaged version can accommodate four bed patients and a health worker. In the transport version it can transport up to 800 kg of cargo inside the cabin. The maximum take-off weight of the helicopter is 3550 kg. The flight range when refueling the main fuel tank (600 l) is 300 km for the passenger version, and when refueling additional outboard tanks

(2X238 l) -600 km. The maximum speed at an altitude of 500 m for the passenger version is 210 km/h, and for the agricultural version - 140 km/h.

Rice. 5. Mi-10 "K" helicopter

The Mi-2 helicopter has a three-bladed all-metal propeller with a diameter of 14.5 m and a two-bladed tail rotor. The control has a hydraulic system and a main rotor speed stabilizer. The helicopter eliminates the possibility of ground resonance through the use of two-chamber shock-absorbing landing gear struts and hydraulic dampers of the vertical hinges. The equipment allows helicopter flights in difficult weather conditions and at night.

Thanks to the presence of gas turbine engines, a high level of design and the use of new materials, the helicopter has a large weight output and high efficiency I and is not inferior in all respects to the best foreign models | new helicopters.

On the Mi-2 helicopter in May 1963, test pilot B. A. Anopshy and leading engineer of the State Scientific Research Institute of Civil Aviation L. L. Badzhanova set a world speed record for helicopters of the 5th weight category; based on 100 km, the average speed was 54.337 km/h.

In 1965, based on the Mi-10 helicopter, a lightweight Mi-YUK helicopter with a conventional landing gear (short-legged) was created (Fig. 5). This is a “flying crane” for construction and installation work. Due to the lightweight design of the cargo

The lifting capacity of this helicopter is 2-3 tons greater than the lifting capacity of the Mi-10 helicopter. The Mi-YUK helicopter has an additional canopy and separate controls located under the fuselage of the helicopter to allow the pilot to carry out installation and construction work directly without the help of an operator or flight director; thereby increasing productivity and efficiency of work.

Rice. 6. Rotorcraft K&-22

In the near future, the new heaviest helicopter in the world, the B-12, will go into operation. The helicopter is equipped with four gas turbine engines designed by P. A. Solovyov with a power of 6500 hp each. With. every. On February 22, 1969, on this helicopter, the crew under the leadership of the ship’s commander, test pilot 1st class V.P. Koloshenko, set five absolute world records in one flight: a maximum load of 31,030 kg was lifted to a height of 2000 m, and also reached a height of 2951 m with a commercial load of 15, 20, 25 and 30 tons.

In August 1969, on a B-12 helicopter, test pilot V.P. Koloshenko lifted a commercial cargo of 40204.5 kg to a height of 2250 m, thereby setting three world records: heights of 2250 m with a commercial cargo of 35 and 40 thousand . kg and a record of maximum lifting capacity of 40204.5 kg at a height of 2000 m.

The design bureau, headed by Lenin Prize laureate, Doctor of Technical Sciences Nikolai Ilyich Kamovsch, also designs helicopters with gas turbine engines. The Ka-22 heavy combined helicopter-wing-wing was built here (Fig. 6). It is a heavy aircraft with two powerful gas turbine engines of 5900 hp each. With. each, spaced along the transverse axis on the wings. Each engine drives two propellers: one supporting to create lift, the other pulling

to create forward flight. In vertical flight modes, the transmission of the main rotors is turned on - the device takes off and lands vertically, and can hang. To obtain translational motion, the transmission of the traction screws is simultaneously turned on - the device receives translational motion. The wings begin to create lift, which increases with increasing speed, and the rotors are unloaded.

Control of such an aircraft in forward flight is carried out like a conventional aircraft. A rotorcraft has a number of advantages over a helicopter. Due to the fact that a rotorcraft flies at positive angles of attack, its drag is less than that of a helicopter, fuel consumption is lower and its flight range is longer.

At the end of 1961, on the K a-22 rotorcraft, the crew under the leadership of test pilot D. Efremov set a world speed record for the class of these machines (convertiplanes) based on 15-25 km, which amounted to 356.3 km/h. In the same year, on this helicopter, the same crew set world records for lifting commercial cargo of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 and 15,000 kg to a height of 2588 m and a world record for lifting the maximum load to a height of 2000 m - 16485 kg . Until now, these records remain with our country.

Chapter I BRIEF CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MI-8 HELICOPTER

DESIGN FEATURES

The Mi-8 helicopter is designed and built according to the classic single-rotor design with a tail rotor. More than 90% of all helicopters in the world are currently built according to this scheme. The helicopter is equipped with two TV2-117A turboprop engines with a take-off power of 1,500 hp. With. every. The Mi-8 helicopter is produced in two main versions: transport (Mi-8T) and passenger (Mi-8P).

The transport version of the helicopter is designed for transportation of wheeled vehicles, cargo, engineering equipment, official transportation of 24 passengers, patients, as well as for carrying out various work in hard-to-reach areas. The maximum commercial load of the helicopter is 4000 kg. In the cargo compartment, to account for the commercial load, an additional fuel tank is installed to increase the flight range to 910 km or two tanks to increase the range to 1160 km (ferry version).

The cargo compartment is 5.15 m long, 7.5 m long with doors, 2.34 m wide, 1.82 m high. Wheeled vehicles, cargo and patients are loaded into the helicopter through the rear doors. parts of the cargo compartment along special ladders. On the left side of the fuselage there is a sliding door for entering the cargo compartment and for loading small cargo with the doors closed.

The transport version of the helicopter can easily be converted into a sanitary one, designed to transport 12 patients on stretchers and an accompanying medical worker.

The helicopter is equipped with a pendulum external suspension system, which allows the transportation of large cargo weighing up to 3000 kg, as well as an onboard boom with an electric winch, which ensures the lifting (or lowering) of cargo weighing up to 200 kg or one person on board the helicopter when the helicopter is hovering near the ground .

Rice. 7. Layout diagram of the pipeline.

1 —right longitudinal-transverse control handle; 2 -wiper; 3 — cabin glazing; 4 — engine exit hatch cover; 5—oil tank; 6~ engine; 7—hood; 8— -fan installation; 9— oil cooler; 10— right pilot's seat; 11— right stick “step-throttle”; 12 — autopilot control panel; 13 — main rotor brake handle; 14 — main rotor brake control cable; 15 — separate engine control rods; 16 — longitudinal control rod; 17 - foot control rod; 18 — collective pitch control thrust; 19 — lateral control rod; 20 21 —left stick “step-throttle”; 22 —left longitudinal-transverse control handle; 23 —left pilot's instrument panel; 24 — left side panel of the left electric control panel; 25—left electrical panel; 26— left panel; 27— engine stop levers; 28— left and right panels of the gas station; 29— middle panel; 30 —right panel; 31 — right electric switch; 32 —right side panel; 33 — right pilot's instrument panel; 34 — main rotor hub; 35 — swashplate; 36 — main gearbox; 37 — hydropanel; 38— control rods; 39— sub-gear frame; 40— consumable fuel tank container; 41— transmission tail shaft; 41 — whip antenna of the command radio station; 43 — compartment for radio equipment; 44 —beam antennas for communication radio

ansport helicopter M.Y-8T:

stations; 45— flashing beacon; 46— main rotor blade; 47—
stabilizer; 48-- intermediate gearbox; 49— tail rotor;
50 — tail gearbox; 51 —end beam; 52 -taillight
XC-39; 53 —transmission end shaft; 54 -removable fairing-, 55 —
tail support; 56— tail boom; 57—radio altitude antennas
measure RV-UM;58— fan damper control handle;
59 — flare cassettes; 60 —box KUL-2 for electrical control
trolling winch; 61 — cockpit entrance door; 62 -battery-
tori; 63 — emergency hatch; 64 -window for connecting the hose
conditioner: 65— winch LPG-2; 66— ladders; 67— reclining seat;
68— PUL-1 winch control panel; 69— reclining seats; 70—
boxes for on-board tools; 71 - cargo door; 72 -head-
landing gear leg; 73 —left outboard fuel tank; 74 -aero-
navigation light BANO-45; 75—central part of the fuselage;
76— sliding entrance door; 77— external suspension device
cargo; 78 — cargo boom; 79 —place of installation of batteries;
80 81 -sliding closer
erased; 82 — left pilot's seat; 83 —separate control levers
engines; 84— front landing gear leg; 55—PVD tube; 86—
radio compass beam antenna ARK-9; 87— right foot pedal
management

Rice. 8. Layout diagram of the MI-8P passenger helicopter:

1 — right foot control pedals; 2 -right handle longitudinally-
lateral control; 3 -wiper; 4 - glazing
bins; 5—engine exit hatch cover; 6— oil tank; 7—move
gatel; 8 -hood; 9 —fan installation; 10— oil cooler;
11 — main rotor hub; 12— swashplate; 13 -head-
gearbox; 14 — hydropanel; 15 — control rods;
16 — gear frame; 17 —consumable fuel container
tank; 18 — transmission tail shaft; 19 —whip antenna
command radio; 20— radio equipment compartment
nia; 21— beam antenna of a communication radio station; 22— flashing
lighthouse; 23 — main rotor blade; 24 -stabilizer; 25 -between-
precision gearbox; 26 — tail rotor; 27 — tail gearbox;
28 —end beam; 29 — tail light XC-39; 30—end shaft
transmissions; 31— removable fairing; 32— tail support; 33— tail-
post beam; 34 — radio altimeter antenna RV-UM; 35 —top
rear entrance door leaf; 36 — central part of the fuselage;
37 — folding ladder; 38 — main landing gear leg; 39 - left outboard
fuel tank; 40 — aeronautical light BANO-45; 41 -pass-

fat chair; 42 —sliding entrance door; 43 —movable blister; 44 — niches for batteries; 45 — output antenna of a communication radio station; 46— left pilot's seat; 47—levers for separate control of engines; 48 — front chassis leg; 49 — PVD tube; 50— radio compass beam antenna ARK-9; 51— left pilot's instrument panel; 52— left side panel of the upper electric control panel; 53— left electrical panel; 54— left panel; 55— engine stop levers; 56 — left and right panels of the gas station; 57 —middle panel; 58 —right panel; 59 — right electrical panel; 60 —right side panel; 61— right pilot's instrument panel; 62— right pilot's seat; 63 —right stick “step-throttle”; 64 — autopilot control panel; 65 — main rotor brake handle; 66 — main rotor brake control cable; 67, 68 — traction for separate engine control; 69— longitudinal control rod; 70— knife control rod; 71 — collective pitch control thrust; 72 — lateral control thrust; 73 —left foot control pedals; 74— left stick “step-throttle”; 75— left longitudinal-transverse control handle

The helicopter crew consists of three people: two pilots and a flight mechanic (or conductor). The left and right pilot seats are located side by side, and the folding seat for the flight mechanic or conductor is located behind the pilot seats in the aisle of the pilot's cabin (Fig. 7). ■

In the passenger version, the helicopter is designed to transport 28 passengers with luggage (15 kg per passenger), mail and small-sized cargo. The helicopter cabin is comfortable, thermal and sound insulation is used to reduce noise. To maintain normal temperature and the required air composition in the cabin, the helicopter is equipped with an air conditioning, ventilation and heating system. There is a wardrobe and luggage compartment. Passengers board through a sliding door located on the left side in the front part of the fuselage and through a folding ramp at the rear entrance door.

The passenger version of the helicopter can be easily converted at the airport into a transport and ambulance version. Under the trim of the passenger cabin there are units for securing small-sized cargo and for installing stands and straps on which the stretcher is secured. The passenger version of the helicopter can be converted to transport large cargo on an external sling.

Both transport and passenger versions of the helicopter have electrical, radio, instrumentation and special equipment designed for flights day and night, in simple and difficult meteorological conditions in the range of ambient temperatures from plus 40 to 50 minutes ° WITH(Fig. 8).

The first version of the Mi-8 helicopter with a four-blade main rotor was tested in 1962. In October 1963, testing began on the second version with a five-blade main rotor, which was put into mass production at the end of 1965.

The Mi-8 is equipped with an anti-icing system that operates in both automatic and manual modes. The helicopter's external suspension system allows it to transport cargo weighing up to 3000 kg. If one of the engines fails in flight, the other engine automatically switches to increased power, while horizontal flight is performed without reducing altitude. The Mi-8 is equipped with an autopilot that provides stabilization of roll, pitch and yaw, as well as a constant flight altitude. Navigation and flight instruments and radio equipment that the helicopter is equipped with allow it to fly at any time of the day and in difficult weather conditions.

The helicopter is mainly used in transport (Mi-8T) and passenger versions. In the passenger version, the Mi-8P is equipped to carry 28 passengers. By special order, in Kazan, a version with a luxury cabin can be manufactured, designed for seven passengers. Orders were completed for B. Yeltsin, N. Nazarbayev, M. Gorbachev and others. The military version of the Mi-8T has pylons for mounting weapons (nursing missiles, bombs). The next military modification of the Mi-8TV has reinforced pylons for hanging a large number of weapons, as well as a machine gun mount in the bow of the cabin. By moving the RV to the left side, its effectiveness was increased.

The Mi-8MT is the latest modification of the helicopter, which was the logical conclusion of the transition from a transport to a transport-combat helicopter. More modern TVZ-117 MT engines are installed with an additional AI-9V gas turbine unit and a dust protection device at the entrance to the air intakes. To combat surface-to-air missiles, there are systems for dispersing hot engine gases, shooting false thermal targets and generating pulsed IR signals. In 1979-1988. The Mi-8MT helicopter took part in the military conflict in Afghanistan.

Helicopter modifications:

Mi-8T (Hip-C)- the main military transport modification.
Mi-8TV- modernized version with enhanced weapons.
Mi-8TVK- export version of the Mi-8TV with 6 Malyutka ATGMs.
Mi-9- a flying command helicopter based on the Mi-8T.
Mi-8SMV- electronic warfare and electronic warfare helicopter.
Mi-8PPA- a modernized version of the Mi-8SMV in the role of a communications helicopter and an electronic warfare helicopter.
Mi-8MT- transport and combat helicopter based on the Mi-8TV (1991).

Performance characteristics of the Mi-8 helicopter:

Year of adoption - 1966.
The diameter of the main propeller is 21.29 m.
The diameter of the tail rotor is 3.91 m.
Length - 18.22 m.
Height - 5.65 m.
Weight, kg
- empty - 7260,
- normal takeoff - 11100,
- maximum take-off - 12200.
Internal fuel - 1450 + 1420 kg.
Engine type - 2 GTD Klimov TV2-117A (TV3-117MT).
Power - 2 x 1710 hp. (2 x 3065 hp)
Maximum speed - 260 km/h.
Cruising speed - 225 km/h.
Practical range - 1200 km.
Range - 465 km.
Practical ceiling - 4500 m.
Static ceiling - 1900 m.
Crew - 2-3 people.

Based on site materials