No one can dispute that the massive dimensions of the Mi-26 helicopter from the Russians are incredible. Witnessing it fly overhead is one thing, but when it actually lands and spectators are permitted to inspect it up close, a whole new appreciation of the planet’s most sizable helicopter can truly be appreciated.
The Mi-26 was both fashioned and constructed by Mil Helicopters based in Moscow. It stands at a similar elevation as a 3-story building and the rotors are spanned out about roughly the same as an Airbus A320’s wings.
The Mi-26 is also known as the “Halo” and since first flying during 1977 it has been a stout-hearted beast in the extreme-heavy lifting industry.
As it can travel distances of up to 500 miles, there are often calls for the Mi-26 to be used in situations that need huge payloads to be transported to bizarre or inaccessible locations. During the aftermath of Sichuan, China’s 2008 earthquake, hefty earth-moving gear was delivered by a Mi-26 to some isolated mountain gorges in order to counter mudslides and flooding.