About 100 engines for the Mi-8 require urgent replacement.

Representatives of the Helicopter Industry Association (AVI) told Izvestia about the problems with the overhaul of aircraft engines and difficulties in purchasing spare parts from Mi-8 helicopters. According to AVI, by the end of 2022-2024, the price for the overhaul of the TV2-117 engine increased by 209%, and for TV3-117 — by 291%. The situation with auxiliary installations is also difficult.

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"The price of engines has almost tripled after the overhaul. If the repaired engine cost 25-30 million rubles before 2022, now it costs 75-90 million rubles. Few of the operators have incorporated such growth into their business models," Dmitry Ermilov, General Director of the Russian House of Aviation spare parts operator, head of the working group on the supply of aviation equipment to AVI, told Izvestia.

There are many old Mi-8s with TV2-117 engines flying in Russia. There are helicopters that are more than 50 years old, the Rostec press service noted.

"We are forced to extend the service life at the request of airlines if the equipment continues to meet safety requirements, as we understand their socio-economic importance. But it's impossible to do this indefinitely. Unlimited life extension and major repairs of obsolete TV2-117s pose a potential threat to the safety of carriers," the press service of the United Engine Corporation told Izvestia.

No company produces parts of these engines, and parts from disassembled TV2-117s are used for repairs. The company recommended replacing the old engines with the new TV3-117/VK-2500 family.

"To get out of the situation, industry regulators must step in and find a compromise between the interests of operators and manufacturers of helicopters and engines," says aviation expert Andrey Patrakov.

According to Dmitry Ermilov from AVI, preferential leasing is needed to upgrade the fleet of helicopter engines. Without government support, operators will not be able to purchase new engines, he concluded.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

On the edge of the blade: about 100 engines for the Mi-8 require urgent replacement