One of the rare outdoor events during the cold and grey Russian winter is the Aerosouz Helicopter Pilot Day. It is organized on the premises of one of the four Moscow helicopter clubs and gathers helicopter industry fans and aviators. This year, the celebration took place the first Saturday after the creation anniversary of Aerosouz, on December 11 : three hundred people (according to the organizers) met in Yakhroma, a small ski resort 40 km North of Moscow, to celebrate a booming helicopter industry.
By Elena Malova, G3aiR journalist, HELICOPTER correspondent in Russia
RUSSIA’S HELICOPTER REBIRTH
2010 is justly called an important year for amateur pilots and helicopter fans in Russia and November 1 a revolutionary date. On this day, the skies in «the country of bears and cold winds» were opened… or almost. As of that day, the day when Amendment 138 entered into force, amateur pilots are able to take-off with just an hour’s notice instead of the former 24 hours to get a clearance from the authorities. This might seem a small step, but aviation authorities call it a revolution for the industry that promises a kick-start of private aviation by bringing it closer to Western standards. The procedure is as modern as can be since all the pilots have to do is send their flight request online. The site of the Ministry of Civil Aviation also provides with information related to flight plan such as weather forecasts.
AEROSOUZ: HOLDING A JUBILEE
Helicopter owners, pilots and helicopter industry professionals thus gathered on this little hill, half-way between Moscow and the Volga River where Moscowites can either enjoy skiing during the winter period or sun-bathing and horseback riding in the Summer. Mikhail Kazachkov, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Helicopter Industry Association said on this occasion that he expects Russia to become a major market for Western manufacturers.
Evelina Bledance, who is for many the incarnation of Russian Beauty, entertained the guests alongside Heliwood producer Andzhey Bartkovyak («The lawyer of the Devil», «Speed», «Doom»)
Leonid Yakubovich, a local celebrity, inaugurated the Museum of Fans. This museum exhibits items which were found in different countries.
This year Aerosouz celebrated its 7th anniversary, which means also its 7th Helicopter Pilot Day: each time, a new scenario is invented to allow pilots to demonstrate their virtuosity. In 2007, an air battle was organized where five hundred helicopter pilots «attacked» mock-up ground forces; in 2008, an eye catching golf tournament was performed by players who had to handle four-meter-mashies as clubs and compete on a giant course. This 2010 event featured R-44s and AS-350s and a jump out of a helicopter from 100m without a parachute onto a mattress.
On the rewarding ceremony Aerosouz President Alexander Klimchyk presented helicopter pilots with trophies as well as the keys of several helicopters to their future owners.
Julia Panova, one of the too rare female pilots, offered Aerosouz an optimistic gift: she sang the club’s anthem «We will have heli-taxi in Russia».
PROSPEROUS FUTURE
As the Russian legislation is becoming more and more lax, Aerosouz is looking into developing new helicopter services such as helitaxis and making accessible helicopter gateways for everybody. Being present in nine cities all around Russia one can anticipate a growing demand for these services and many new ideas for the Helicopter Pilot Day.
