Aviation

Afalina. world’s cheapest helicopter.. !!

HeliWhale, a company from the Siberian city of Kemerovo, revealed its unique helicopter at the HeliRussia 2015 exhibition, which took place in Moscow in late-May.

How much does it cost ?

According to HeliWhale, the helicopter will cost $120,000, which includes heating and ventilation systems in the cockpit.

Speed, Range & take off weight

“Afalina” is the two-seat coaxial high-speed helicopter with take-off weight of 495 kg, has the best in its class aircraft performance and corresponds to modern cosumer needs. Cruising speed is 210 km/h, maximum speed is 250 km/h. Range is 600 km and the scaled-up cabin provide additional comfort in operation.

Afalina Production plan

Domestic production and the combination of technical solutions considerably optimize the cost of flight hour and allow to use the helicopter in a wide range of missions. The rotorcraft is a result of a creative teamwork of aviation devouts. Just in 4 years the service workshop developed from the scratch turned into a well-equipped hi-tech light helicopter production &repairs plant.

Photo: Ilia Pitalyev, Sputnik, Russia-inside.com

Applications

Afalina is designed as a multipurpose helicopter capable of performing a variety of tasks, including the training of pilots, maintenance of pipelines and power lines, aerial surveillance, police patrolling, transportation of personnel, farm work and recreational flights.

Special use

“Heliwhale” is planning to organize helicopter manufacturing and bring the finished product to the domestic and foreign markets. This helicopter will be useful for the needs of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Air Medical Service, oil and gas and energy companies/ It can also be used for training purposes as well as for corporate and private owners’ needs.

Is there any other cheapest helicopter ? Yes

The Robinson R22 is a two-bladed, single-engine light utility helicopter manufactured by the Robinson Helicopter Company. The two-seat R22 was designed in 1973 which is costing around $285,000(as of Jan 2015 price )

Afalina Production capacity

The company says that its production plant in Kemerovo will be able to build from 10 to 15 machines every year. They’ll be supplied to customers as kit-sets models for self-assembly in order to keep the price low, the developer said.

News source :Heliwhale press release , RT.com,

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COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.