Mil Mi-60 MAI

Mil Mi-60 MAI

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1993
Headquarters	Moscow , Russia
Products	Light utility helicopter (proposed)

Template:Infobox aircraft

The Mil Mi-60 MAI (Russian: Миль Ми-60 МАИ) represented a collaborative effort between Mil and the Moscow Aviation Institute aimed at creating a light utility helicopter. A full-scale mockup was showcased during the MAKS 2001 air show, where the Russian aerospace periodical Aviatsiya i Kosmonavtika (Авиация и космонавтика; "Aviation and Space") referred to it as a "smaller sibling" of the Mil Mi-34.

Designed to serve multiple civil aviation roles, the Mi-60 MAI was expected to support pilot instruction, agricultural applications, law enforcement and firefighting operations, environmental surveillance, aerial imaging, and tourism. The anticipated domestic market in Russia for this type of rotorcraft was estimated between 400 and 600 units. At that time, no Russian manufacturer was producing a comparable lightweight helicopter, while foreign models were considered unsuitable for Russia's operational environment.

In addition to its debut at MAKS 2001, the concept was introduced earlier at the 1997 International Aviation Forum held in Moscow and at the World Salon of Inventions in Brussels that same year. The project earned a gold medal during the Brussels exhibition.

Design

The Mi-60 MAI featured a traditional configuration typical of light helicopters, comprising a pod-and-boom body, a main rotor with three blades, a tail rotor with two blades, and a skid-type landing gear equipped with rear wheels on each skid. The cockpit was designed to accommodate the pilot alongside one passenger in a spacious, fully glazed cabin outfitted with dual flight controls.

Throughout its development, various engine options were considered, including:

• a single 120-kilowatt (160 hp) Lycoming O-320-B2C piston engine
• a single 150-kilowatt (200 hp) Aviadvigatel D-150 Wankel rotary engine
• a single 145-kilowatt (194 hp) Textron Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD piston engine
• a single 177-kilowatt (237 hp) VAZ-426 Wankel engine
• twin 84.6-kilowatt (113.5 hp) Rotax 914F piston engines
• twin 103-kilowatt (138 hp) LOM M332A piston engines

These powerplants were intended to be installed inside the fuselage, positioned aft of the cabin, with power transmitted to the rotor system via V-belts. In configurations featuring two engines, they were arranged side-by-side. A key factor in selecting the engines was their compatibility with automotive-grade gasoline, enabling operation in areas lacking advanced fuel infrastructure. The twin-engine versions were designed to maintain flight capability on just one functioning engine.

The airframe construction was planned to incorporate extensive use of composite materials.

Development

Initial financing for the Mi-60 MAI project was provided by the Russian Ministry of Education. Development activities commenced in 1993 and technical design work concluded in 1994. By 1997, sponsorship was secured from the Russian Army, which intended to utilize the Mi-60 MAI as a training helicopter.

A full-scale mockup began assembly at the Kazan helicopter manufacturing plant in 2000. This model was presented at the MAKS air show in 2001, coinciding with plans to initiate production that same year. Manufacturing was slated to occur at the Rostvertol facility located in Rostov-on-Don As of 1998, approximately $30 million remained necessary to commence production.

The development process concluded in 2001, although the Mi-60 MAI continued to be listed within Russia’s federal aviation program for 2002–2010. By 2013, no completed units had been built.

External links

• Description of the project by Moscow Aviation Institute
• Press release from Moscow Aviation Institute regarding international acclaim for the design