Specialists of Russian Helicopters are currently developing the design documentation of the helicopter. This stage is scheduled to be finished at the end of 2021 with the production of the first series of VRT500 in the Ulan-Ude aviation plant.

“VRT500 will become a competitive product in the market of light single-engine helicopters and allows [the] holding company to join this new segment for the first time,” said Alexander Okhonko, general manager of VR-Technologies. “Russian Helicopters considers Europe as a potential market, so we plan to apply the helicopter for certification to the European Aviation Safety Agency [EASA] this year. We’ll start testing the first prototype in 2020.”

VRT500 is a light single-engine helicopter with coaxial rotors and maximum take-off weight of 1,600 kilograms. It will be equipped with the latest interactive avionics and have the most spacious passenger cabin in its class with the total capability of five people. The helicopter can reach a max speed of 250 kilometers per hour, has a flight range of 860 km and can carry a payload of up to 730 kg.