Mi-8T "Hip" Medium Transport Helicopter
SAR VERSION, NO WEAPONS ATTACHED
CLICK HERE FOR THE WEAPONS DLC VERSION
The Mi-8 started the design phase around 1961. In the fall of 1964, the Russian army ordered the production of the military variant Mi-8T. This version differed from the civilian airliner by minor details, mainly the different seating (benches rather than actual seats) and round windows, rather than large, rectangular ones. NATO designated this version “Hip-C”.
This particular version is modeled after Mi-8 helicopters in use of the East-German air force (Luftstreitkräfte der Nationalen Volksarmee; LSK) specifically for search and rescue operations. This includes the installment of two rescue winches, one just above the left door, and one in the aft portion of the cargo bay. Both winches can be operated independently.
Because of it’s SAR capabilities, the landing light can also be used as a rudimentary searchlight. It pivots up and down until a near-vertical position.
Aside from rescue capability, it also has a slingload capability, rated for at least 12 tonnes. In case the engines do not generate enough lift, using the select tool in the editor, one is able to adjust the engine RPS to anything ranging from 20 to 170 RPS. Do keep in mind that a higher RPS does come at a higher fuel consumption.
Although this SAR version of the Mi-8 does not carry armament, it has been designed from the start to accommodate for its use, despite not being used in this configuration until 1968. The armed version of the Mi-8, called the Mi-8TV, saw extensive use in the Soviet-Afghan war as transport and close air support.
Specifications
- Crew capacity: 4 persons (pilot, copilot, crew chief, winch operator)
- Passenger capacity: 18 persons
- Realistic operation
- Easy maintenance and accessibility of parts
- 7.600 litres of fuel, carried internally
- Effective range of 100+ km
- 10.000+ kg slingload capability
- Max. speed ~ 80 knots
- Two rescue winches
- Large cargo bay to accommodate for transport missions
Engine operation and starting
- Enable the wheel brakes by pressing [6] on the keyboard. This ensures that the helicopter stays in position and does not start shifting when the engines are starting up.
- On the right-hand overhead panel, flip the battery circuit breakers (5). Only one battery is necessary, but enabling both is recommended.
- On the pilot’s dashboard panel, one may enable the instrument backlights (9) for better visibility of the controls. This also turns on the GPS monitor above the copilot’s dashboard panel.
- On the center overhead panel, turn on the service tank fuel pump (8).
- Enable the engine starter (5), and wait for the engine to spool up.
- To the left and above, there are two flip switches on a grey panel. These are the engine start-stop switches. Flip them forward to enable fuel to flow into the engines.
- After the starter indicator light has turned off, switch to the other engine (6) and enable the engine starter.
- If the engine starter needs to be aborted halfway through starting, the starter can be stopped with the STOP button (7).
- With both engines running, turn on the left and right tank fuel pumps (9 and 10 respectively).
- On the right-hand overhead panel, enable the generator clutch (8). Only one generator is necessary, unless there is a substantial power draw on the system. It is good practice to read the battery voltage (6) every so often. The battery voltage should be approx. 24 volts.
General operation and flying
- On the right-hand overhead panel, enable the anti-collision lights (4) to warn other aircraft and ground personell that the helicopter is in operation.
- During nighttime operations, it is advised to turn on the navigation lights (3), as well as the landing light (near the pilot’s legs). On the left-hand overhead panel, switching on the cockpit lighting is advised for easier operation of the various switches and controls.
- On the left-hand overhead panel is also a switch for the slingload spotlights, mounted on the rear wheel struts. These provide a beam of light directly below the helicopter, which can be used for landing and slingload operations at night.
- To start taxiing, simply disable the wheel brakes by pressing [6] on the keyboard. Slowly pitch forward, and the helicopter should start rolling forward.
- On the lower center panel and the center overhead panel are the crew radios. The lower radio is for the pilot and is directly connected to the pilot’s headset. Hold [2] on the keyboard to transmit on the selected channel.
Respectively, the same principle applies for the copilot’s radio. The radio frequencies toggled between channel 1 through 9, of which the preset offset can be set in the editor for basic encryption of communications. - On the lower center panel, flip the heading hold (13) and roll/pitch stability (14) switch. This ensures that the helicopter will remain stable with keyboard inputs. For experienced HOTAS pilots, this may not be necessary.
- To set a specific altitude, enter the altitude (in meters) into the keypad (16) and enable the altitude hold (15). This ensures that the helicopter remains at a specific altitude during all conditions. Do keep in mind that this does not account for terrain or obstacles, only for pressure altitude.
- In arctic conditions, it is advised to turn on the KO-50 cabin heater. To enable the cabin heater, simply flip the fuel cutoff switch on the center overhead panel (copilot side) and press the ignition. The heater will now automatically adjust to the ambient temperature.
- In the passenger cabin are two hardpoints, which directly connect to the fuel system. This was incorporated for long-haul missions where extra fuel may be carried. As of now, I have not designed a proprietary fuel tank, merely the capability to add one if deemed necessary.
I’ve tried my best to mimic most systems as found on the real Mil Mi-8, although Stormworks itself can be very limiting. As such, certain systems had to be simplified. There is no APU, very limited communications and the tons of circuit breakers overhead are merely decoration. Nonetheless, this is as close as one could possibly get without workarounds like Thales’ instruments mod. Hopefully in the future, I will be able to update it with a retrofitted radar warning receiver and IR jammer. Only time will tell.
