Mil Mi-34

Russia

Two/four place light helicopter

At the time of its first flight, the Mi-34 was the smallest helicopter yet designed by Mil. Despite only entering series production in 1993, the Mi-34 development story dates back to the mid 1980s, with a first flight in 1986. The Mi-34 was first exhibited to the west at the Paris Airshow in 1987 and has made a number of appearances at major airshows, including Farnborough, since that time. The Mi-34 is the first helicopter designed in a former eastern bloc country that can loop and roll. More than 60 have been delivered, with missions including pilot training, observation and liaison missions. Many have been delivered to Russian government agencies and the police. Power for the Mi-34 is supplied by the same M14 radial that powers the Sukhoi Su26, Su29 and Su31 aerobatic aircraft (described separately) among other Russian light aircraft designs. Mil has also studied variants of the Mi-34 with a Textron Lycoming TIO540 flat six piston engine and an Allison 250C20R turboshaft (as the Mi-34A). The twin engine Mi-34 VAZ meanwhile was announced in mid 1993 along with a number of other Mil civil and military helicopters. The Mi-34 VAZ is essentially similar to the standard Mi-34 but is powered by twin VAZ430 rotary engines. While a rotary is perhaps an unusual choice of powerplant, the Mi-34 VAZ was being developed with the VAZ car factory, which may explain the engine selection. The Mi-34 VAZ also introduced a new carbonfibre star plate based rotor head. No known production has been undertaken.

Mi-34C - One 240kW (320hp) VOKBM M14V26 nine cylinder radial piston engine driving a four blade main rotor and two blade tail rotor. Mi-34 VAZ - Two 200kW (265hp) VAZ430 twin chamber rotary engines.

Mi-34C - Max speed 225km/h (121kt), max cruising speed 180km/h (97kt), normal cruising speed 160km/h (86kt). Service ceiling 16,400ft. Hovering ceiling 4920ft. Range with max fuel 420km (226nm), with a 245kg (540lb) payload 360km (194nm). Endurance at cruising speed 2hr 26min. Mi-34 VAZ - Max level speed 210km/h (113kt), normal cruising speed 185km/h (100kt). Range with 400kg (880lb) payload and reserves 300km (160nm), range with max internal fuel 480km (260nm), range with auxiliary fuel 980km (530nm).

Mi-34 - Empty 950kg (2094lb), max takeoff 1450kg (3196lb). Mi-34 VAZ - Max takeoff 1960kg (4320lb).

Main rotor diameter 10.01m (32ft 10in), length rotors turning 11.42m (37ft 6in), fuselage length 8.75m (28ft 9in), height overall 2.75m (9ft 0in). Main rotor disc area 78.5m2 (845sq ft).

Typical seating for four, including one pilot. Mi-34 VAZ can accommodate stretcher in rear cabin instead of seats.

Production of the Mi-34 began during 1993. Sporadic low rate production since.

Mil Mi-34