Three helicopters put up for sale

Azerbaijan has put up for sale three means of air transport with a total estimated value of about 400 thousand manat ($ 0.5 million).

The State Committee on Property announced the October 28 an auction for the sale of three helicopters MI-8 MTV1, which were on the exploitation by the state-run Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) in 1990-2003.

The helicopter MI-8 MTV1 is used for the transport of persons (up to 22 passengers) and cargo weighing up to 4 tons inside the cabin and as an external load. For mechanization of loading and unloading the helicopter cabin is equipped with electric winch. The helicopter also has an LPG-150 winch to lift a person from the ground or water surface.

After the private company LLC Silk Way Helicopter Services was created in 2008, virtually all the AZAL infrastructure to provide helicopter transport services was transferred to thyis company in an opaque way. Formally, Silk Way Helicopter Services is a tenant of the airport in the village Zabrat in the Baku suburbs, with its sheds and vehicles. The airport is adapted for flight and meets all modern standards.

Ltd. Silk Way Helicopter Services operates helicopters S-92A, AS-332 L1 Super Puma, EC-155 B1, EC-135, MI-171, MI- 8MTV-1, and Cessna Skyhawk 172 S, reports the corporate website without specifying their number.

Just recently, the airline started to use another new brand – a helicopter AW139 VIP. This type of helicopter is designed for superior service of VIP passengers. It has the largest passenger cabin of helicopters in its class.

Ltd. Silk Way Helicopter Services is a part of Silk Way Holding. The holding, which brings together more than 20 companies in the air transport, service, industry, and financial services, is owned by the family of President Ilham Aliyev. This information is neither confirmed, nor refuted .-- 08B-