Tatarstan hospital becomes first civilian Ansat user

The first serial-produced civil version of Ansat will be used by Tatarstan Republic Clinical Hospital for medevac missions (Photo by Rostec)

Tatarstan Republic Clinical Hospital will become the first civilian operator of Ansat, light utility helicopter developed and produced by Kazan Helicopters, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters holding.  The first serial rotorcraft in medevac configuration was ordered by Tatarstan Healthcare Ministry for providing emergency medical transport services.

The decision to purchase Ansat was based on the results of a tender. Similar biddings will be performed to chose both the helicopter’s operator and MRO provider, a spokesperson for Kazan Helicopters told Russian Aviation Insider.

There are several operators approved for handling Ansat – Tulpar Technic, UVT-Aero and Russian Helicopter Systems. UVT-Aero’s general director Petr Trubayev earlier mentioned that his airline had made arrangements to start operating a medevac helicopter.

Tulpar Technic, maintenance subsidiary of Tulpar Aero Group, also told Russian Aviation Insider about its plans to start servicing its first Ansat before the end of the year. This Kazan-based provider has obtained approvals for all forms of maintenance on the type, since its sister company Tulpar Helicopters is also a customers for Ansat.

Another commercial order for Ansat came from Russian Helicopter Systems (RHS), a Moscow-based private helicopter operator.” However, the agreement signed last month is “just the first step of the process, which also includes a financial leasing contract and delivery,” Kazan Helicopters representative told Russian Aviation Insider. According to the spokesperson, the delivery of a medevac helicopter to RHS is scheduled for December.

Kazan OEM’s backlog for Ansat includes a firm order from another customer, Vector. No information has been provided on delivery schedule. Kazan Helicopters claims that the interest for this rotorcraft from both Russian and foreign operators is quite high.

Medevac version of Ansat debuted at HeliRussia show in 2014. This twin engine helicopter can carry one severely injured patient accompanied by medical stuff.