Sorry Guys/Gals and Nick Lappos,
BUT NONE OF THE ABOVE IS CORRECT!
The reason we don't see Russian Helicopters such as the MI-8, MI-17, MI-26, KA-32 in use in the west is for one simple reason.....NO PAPER TRAIL!
We tried in the 90's to certify an MI-8 MTV for western service but because we could not satisfy the west that the T/R for instance came fro MI, not the local MI managers second cousins tractor factory, we could not certify the helicopter.
I understand that Kamov is now producing a FAA/CAA/TC certified version of the 32 that will put 61's/64's and all other contenders out of the heavy lift business!
I can remember flying formation with a KA-32 in the North Sea and seeing him wave goodbye and accelerate to 190Kts+ as he left us in his dust to go back to Mother.
OffshoreIgor