The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the Arrius 2G1 turboshaft engine made by French company Turbomeca (Safran Group), installed on the Russian light Ka-226T helicopter. Engine certification achieved end-October 2011 allows mass operation of the engine and remains an important milestone in the multi-role Ka-226T helicopter programme.

The contract between the Russian rotorcraft industry holding company Russian Helicopters, a part of United Industrial Corporation Oboronprom, and the French engine-building corporation Turbomeca for the making and certification of Arrius 2G1 engines built to Russian requirements was signed in January 2009 in Moscow.

Certification testing of the Arrius 2G1 engine was successfully completed in accordance with the Ka-226T launch programme.

The Ka-226T is the newest coaxial-rotor helicopter, equipped with two Arrius 2G1 turboshaft engines built by the French company Turbomeca, as well as the Russian VR-226N reductor. As of today this is the first time an Arrius 2G1 engine was installed on a coaxial helicopter. The solution offers the machine unprecedented flight safety: even with one engine it has the necessary maneuver output of 750 hp. Modern powertrains alongside the special crash-proof fuel system and shock-absorbing chairs make this helicopter one of the most ecological and safe choices in its class.

The outstanding qualities of the Ka-226T rotor system, altitude, and maneuverability were proved during flight tests. One of the most important achievements of the Ka-226T, making it stand out from the competitors, is the practical ceiling of 7300 metres. The outstanding characteristics of the Ka-226T have also been a winning quality in mountainous regions and high-temperature climates, over sea and in highly congested cities, notwithstanding strong winds.

The rotorcraft does not demand hangarage and is capable of working day and night in adverse weather, under varying winds and in temperatures from -50° to +50°? and 0…100% humidity. Landing gear design is ample to allow unprepared runway landing and operations from hard top helipads, including oil and gas rigs, as well as ground with 4 kgs/km? density.

The Ka-226T was developed by Kamov JSC, and is now manufactured by Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise (a part of Russian Helicopters). The helicopter has a MTOW of 3.6 tons with a useful load of 1.5 tons. The maximum speed is 250 km/h, and up to 8 people, including the pilot, can be accommodated on board.

Varying cabin modules of the Ka-226T make one helicopter useful for various missions, including cargo loading, passenger transportation, patrol, construction, loading-unloading, medevac, and firefighting, as well as search and rescue and evacuation operations, without cutting down on the helicopter's flight characteristics.