Small aviation of Russia (airplanes, helicopters) is a matter of real pride for all citizens of our country. Most are used to thinking that such a technique is extremely complicated and expensive, only a select few have access to it. In fact, this industry is not as closed as stereotypes say. Let's consider in more detail.
General view
If you ask the child what he wants to become, it is likely that he will remember the astronauts, athletes and pilots. Indeed, for many, to be a pilot is a true childhood dream, which does not let go of even in adulthood. Many do not even know that they have talents in this area, because they have not tried to go to study. But the reason for this is one - it is considered that it is very difficult for an ordinary person to become a pilot. In fact, everything is not so problematic. Many modern citizens can receive a suitable education, undergo practical training and begin to operate aircraft of various sizes. Moreover, you can even become the owner of your own helicopter and start managing it, having received all the necessary skills.
Currently, the region most accessible to ordinary people is the small aviation of Russia. Light, ultralight varieties of flying equipment - these are the units that the average man can get, and for a relatively modest amount. The laws prevailing in our country are such that the activity of small aircraft has relatively few restrictions. Some are convinced that the requirements are overstated, but they are incomparably more tolerant than those adopted in many other developed countries.
Features and limitations
However, one cannot compare Russia and New Zealand, in which ultralight air travel units are used by the widest circles of the population. As statistics have shown, the frequency of use of funds is gradually tending to one that shows how often the population uses personal cars to travel on ordinary roads. On the other hand, according to many, the fact that the current system of laws allows for private flights is already a significant step forward in comparison with many powers on the planet.
The laws in force in our country allow the use of flying light equipment for private purposes in almost the entire territory of the country. Exceptions to the operation of small aircraft in Russia are the capital, some specialized facilities. Mostly these are secret zones. If a regime is defined with respect to some object, if the area is under government jurisdiction, then private flights over it are closed. However, there are relatively few such sites.
How to do it right?
When planning to use small aircraft in Russia, you need to arrange your trip. To complete a flight, a notification should be sent to the responsible authority. You do not need to receive any special permissions, just send a notification application. It specifies where the technical tool will take off, where the landing is planned. There are no authorities that could prohibit the flight.
Although the use of small aircraft in Russia does not present any particular problems, the flight beyond the borders of the state is a completely different story. First you need to make a request and draw up a documentation package. It is imperative to obtain permission to cross the border of a power. Formally, this seems to be a relatively simple procedure, but in practice, people who are experienced in this aspect believe that procrastination is typical. Some are convinced that officials deliberately delay the procedures artificially. It is almost impossible to legally issue a permit within a reasonable time. When planning to fly over the border of a power using your own air equipment, you need to have patience and time. This is the only way to count on the success of obtaining permission in accordance with the letter of the law.
Rights and Norms
The rules of flights of small aircraft in Russia regulate not only aspects of the design process, but also the features of obtaining permission to drive such a vehicle. There are specialized educational institutions where pilots are trained. Based on the results of the program, you can get flight rights. Without them, it is strictly forbidden to control aircraft - how can you not drive a car without having the usual rights for this. Flight Rights is a comprehensive concept that includes several categories of permits. To get them, you must first make a sufficient number of flights accompanied by an instructor. For example, to become officially an amateur, allowed to control the equipment, you will have to fly 50 hours or more accompanied by an instructor. If you want to become a commercial pilot, then the minimum flight period accompanied by an instructor is two hundred hours.
It is even more difficult to obtain permits allowing you to become a linear pilot. Such a person can work in a company engaged in international flights on a regular schedule. Here the conditions are special, even more complex. However, in any of the options, the number of hours with an instructor is not the only requirement. You also need to go through inspections, get help. The most important examination is performed by doctors. The conclusion that the doctors give is a special one, designed specifically for the person who will fly.
Maximum liability
In our country there are many places equipped for air transport. Many have heard, for example, about the Oreshkovo airfield. The importance of airfields cannot be overestimated. Aircraft is not a simple machine. You can’t stop a plane, a helicopter at any convenient time to distract yourself from something. However, this works in the other direction - during the flight, no one can stop the vehicle in order to verify that the pilot has the rights and everything necessary for the flight. From practice it is known that sometimes people who do not have sufficient skills and knowledge take control of the vessel. Usually these are people who want to save money on working with an instructor - they are confident that they can cope with the helm.
On average, the cost of one hour of flight costs about 15 thousand rubles. From the above information on how to become a small aviation pilot in Russia, it is clear that not everyone has enough free funds to pay 50-200 hours of flights accompanied by an experienced instructor.
About violations
From practice, there are also known cases when a person got into the pilot's seat while being drunk. The more common airborne equipment, the more people get access to it, the more often accidents occur, the more such cases lead to disastrous consequences. The only way to guarantee the safety of those on earth is to develop pilot awareness. People taking control of aircraft are responsible for those who fly with them as a passenger, as well as for all those over whom the car flies. The issue of verification limits the possibilities of inspections, therefore the only option is the formation of a responsible and conscious generation of pilots.
There are rights: what's next?
To gain access to the aerodromes intended for small aviation in Russia, you need to purchase your own device. Currently on sale there is a huge variety of different products from the category of ultralight. The easiest way is to purchase the unit directly from the manufacturer. There are dozens of enterprises manufacturing small cars for private flights. An enterprise can sell a customer a fully prepared flight facility, and can deliver a kit. Using the instructions that accompany him, a person collects his own plane. Another option is to purchase a used car.
Now the most popular models are the second and third of the AN line. Some say that the Yak-52 is one of the aircraft that have no equal. It is believed that a sufficient competitor in this model of aircraft will not appear for a very long time. However, there are those who collect their own unique model. Such persons buy parts for various devices, make a drawing and assemble the device on it, on which they then make private flights. On average, an ultralight model of flying equipment can be purchased for 20-100 thousand US dollars. As you can see, the price is comparable to the cost of a good car. Assembling aircraft on their own can sometimes be cheaper for craftsmen, but in some cases the final device costs more than the average market price. This applies to cases when the owner wants to create a unique and powerful device from the best parts and details. The choice in favor of an airplane or a helicopter is made, starting from the acquired rights, financial opportunities.
Everything is official
Whatever technique the buyer chooses (be it the Yak-52, AN-3 or any other flight machine), in any case, care must be taken so that, together with the unit itself, the person receives the full range of official documentation accompanying it. The most important document is a technical passport. Many drivers know how important and indispensable this passport is for a simple car. For a helicopter or an airplane, it is even more significant. There is no doubt that any check will necessarily ask for this document for review.
An equally important aspect of registration is getting a tail number. After completing all the registration procedures and confirming the pilot’s qualities, the owner of the unit receives a special certificate indicating that his machine is suitable for flying. Only RosAviation is entitled to issue such an official permit. Every 50 hours spent at the helm, you must confirm your suitability for such actions.
Technical moment
Not everyone has the opportunity to use the bands of the Oreshkovo airdrome for their personal purposes. However, the owner of the equipment wants it or not, but every machine must take off from somewhere. It is equally important to have an adequate landing spot. Helicopters in this regard are less demanding, planes need more space. In any of the options, the person making private flights usually uses an airfield owned by a private person. Usually these are relatively small sites. There are several lanes near Moscow. All of them are equipped not only with high-quality road surface, but also have hangars where the equipment is located. It has everything you need for machine maintenance and flight organization. Possibilities for accommodating citizens are provided, there are conditions for relaxation.
When planning to use the airports of Russia intended for small aviation, the owner of the aircraft gets access to a wide variety of advantages. For example, the equipped territory is convenient, completely legal, and all information about such an institution is in specialized registers implemented to control air traffic. When sending an application for a flight, a person who indicates a legal airfield as the starting and ending point faces less problems, since a minimum of route information is required. True, there were some shortcomings. To rent a place where the aircraft will stand, you have to pay it. On average, tariffs are about three thousand rubles per month. For each take-off and for any landing, you will have to pay at least another five hundred rubles.
For myself and for others
Using the airfields of the Moscow region (Myachkovo, Oreshkovo and others), you can fly for which there is a license. Private movements in air transport are fundamentally different from commercial ones, and the transport owner is obliged to take this aspect into account. If a certain person acquires an air vehicle in order to provide commercial services, she must register as a pilot of the corresponding status. Transport itself will also have to be issued as commercial. In practice, as you know, some neglect this rule. Very often, unlicensed pilots irrigate fields, transport customers on their helicopters, like in a taxi. Some offer those who wish walking tours. In fact, most of the fans involved in this industry do not have the rights to such activity.
The reason for the prevalence of illegal commercial flights is the strictness of laws and restrictions, the conditions for obtaining the correct status. Requirements for commercial flights are much more stringent than for private ones. As many illegal immigrants explain, it is extremely expensive to formalize everything according to the law, so you will not be able to get any benefit from the activity. As a result, the bulk of the light aviation business is shadow. However, the prospects for the development of the sphere are great, so many believe that in the near future the situation will change.
New opportunities
Time passes, everything changes. The development of small aircraft in Russia also does not stand still. AN-2, considered one of the most successful models, is gradually outdated, and today it is being replaced by a new car. While she is just getting ready for serial production. The model has already been presented to the public as TVS-2DTS. The manufacture of equipment was entrusted to the aircraft factory in Ulan-Ude. Presumably, in 2025 at least two hundred units will be manufactured. The main audience for whose demand the production is designed is a Yakutian company engaged in small air transportation. Already entered into an agreement with the regional government governing such mutual work. The government of the country offers a subsidy that will facilitate the certification of the new model.
The new prospects for small aircraft in Russia, opening up with the release of TVS-2DTS, are regarded by the government as especially important. According to experts, the development and in-line production of the new unit suggests that the sector of light aircraft is being restored. In addition, the aircraft factory, which is currently in a crisis situation, will finally be able to stabilize its position. Equally important is the introduction of a new model for the Chaplygin Institute, whose workers constructed a new device. A private initiative is especially noted: there was no state order for the development of the device, all were initiated by responsible persons who understood how much the country needs new units.
About helicopters
In the framework of small aviation in Russia, helicopters occupy a particularly important place. In our country, this sector is considered the least developed, so many experts say that prospects will open only after the development of the latest helicopter technology. There is a state-owned enterprise Russian Helicopters. It is it that manufactures aircraft of this class for both civilian needs and for transporting various cargo and passengers. Among others, special purpose vehicles are designed, military and combat. However, according to experts, the prospects for civilian helicopters are still more than uncertain. The company specializes in military products and specialized equipment. Machines constructed by us are successfully sold abroad. The domestic market, however, is poorly covered because it does not pay attention to the design of units that could satisfy the demand of citizens.