The world's largest (still operates) Helicopter

Record for the largest helicopter which is still in operation to this day held by the Mi-26 (NATO called it Halo) produced in Rostov by Russian Mil bureau. Mi-26 is able to carry loads as heavy as 20 tons, with a flight range of 2,000 km.

Russian Mil Mi-26 Halo for UN's operation. (Picture from: http://www.military-today.com/)

Sizes of the helicopter blades diameter and spans as wide as a Boeing 737. Eight main fuel tanks with a total capacity of 12,000 liters which is placed under the floor of the cargo room. Four additional fuel tanks can be installed in the cargo compartment so that its total capacity to more than 14,800 liters. Its fuel tank and engine is protected by a steel plate. Historically, this is the first helicopter that uses 8 blades.

Cabin crew in Mil Mi-26 Halo. (Picture from: http://www.kaskus.co.id/)

Mil Mi-26 Halo is the first of the third generation Soviet helicopter which is developed from the legendary helicopter Mi-6 Hook that debuted in the 1960's and are still being developed today. Helicopter which first flew on December 14, 1977 and entered the commercial market in 1980. It is generally known that the helicopter had made ​​as many as 310 units. Because of the distance and a large cargo space are design hallmarks of the Mi-26 helicopter.

Cargo compartment in Mil Mi-26 Halo. (Picture from: http://www.kaskus.co.id/)

Helicopter which uses two Lotarev D-136 turboshafts engines, each of which can spew power of 11,399 shp. Because of its large size that it requires a lot of helicopter crew consisting of two pilots, one mechanic and one navigator and 2 other crews to take care of cargo space.

Size comparison between the Mil Mi-26 Halo with Bell BO-105 helicopter. (Picture from: http://www.kaskus.co.id/)

The helicopter cargo compartment has a length of 12.1 m (with its clamshell door opened - 15 m), width of 3.2 m and height 2.95 m till 3.17 m. In Mi-26 landing variant can carry 82 troops or 68 paratroopers. And can also be operated as the flying ambulance to transport 60 wounded people on stretchers and three medical personnel attached to them.

Size comparison between the Mil Mi-26 Halo with Boeing MH-47E Chinook helicopter. (Picture from: http://www.kaskus.co.id/)

The Mi-26 was once used to measure radiation levels resulting from the explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. Once the helicopter had requested assistance from the Dutch forces to lift their MH-47E Chinook from a mountain at an altitude of 2,600 m in Afghanistan, the total weight of Chinook is 12 tons capable of being carried by the leviathan.

Mil Mi-26 Halo carried a 12 ton Chinook. (Picture from: http://www.helifreak.com/)

In September 1996, the Mi-26 created a world record by carrying 224 paratroopers who will jump at an altitude of 6,500 m (four miles). In 2008 also been used to evacuate people after a 8.0 magnitude earthquake strike in China. Maybe you are curious to know the other helicopters also have gigantic power like this, just wait for our next article. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

General Characteristics of Mil Mi-26 Halo:

• Crew: Five– 2 pilots, 1 navigator, 1 flight engineer, 1 flight technician
• Capacity: 90 troops or 60 stretchers, 20,000 kg cargo (44,090 lb)
• Length: 40.025 m (131 ft 3¾ in) (rotors turning)
• Rotor diameter: 32.00 m (105 ft 0 in)
• Height: 8.145 m (26 ft 8¾ in)
• Disc area: 804.25 m2 (8,656.8 ft²)
• Empty weight: 28,200 kg (62,170 lb)
• Loaded weight: 49,600 kg (109,350 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 56,000 kg (123,450 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Lotarev D-136 turboshafts, 8,500 kW (11,399 shp) each
• Maximum speed: 295 km/h (159 kt, 183 mph)
• Cruise speed: 255 km/h (137 kt, 158 mph)
• Range: 1,920 km (1,036 nmi, 1,190 mi) (with auxiliary tanks)
• Service ceiling: 4,600 m (15,100 ft)