Mil Mi-26
The Mil Mi-26 Halo is the largest and most powerful helicopter ever to enter series production, able to lift loads that would require a fixed-wing cargo aircraft for almost any other helicopter in the world. Its eight-blade main rotor, more blades than almost any other helicopter design, spreads the enormous lift load across more rotor area for smoother, more efficient heavy lifting. It has carried out extraordinary heavy-lift jobs worldwide, from hauling downed Western military helicopters out of Afghanistan to lifting entire bridge sections into remote construction sites. Its cargo hold alone is roomy enough to carry two smaller helicopters at once.
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Did you know?
Its two Lotarev D-136 turboshafts are among the most powerful engines ever fitted to a helicopter, driving the largest production rotor built.
Specifications
| Length | 33.7 m (111 ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 8.2 m (27 ft) |
| Rotor diameter | 32 m (105 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 82 |
| Persons on board | 90 |
| Crew | 5 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 56 t |
| Range | 432 NM (800 km) |
| Service ceiling | 15,000 ft (4,572 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 8,000 ft (2,438 m) |
| Fuel capacity | 12,000 l |
| Engines | 2x Lotarev D-136 |
| Units built | 316 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Mil Mi-26 starts as a Legendary catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you. The first catch of a legendary type pays a bonus of its own.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Mil, the Mi-26 family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
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