Mil Mi-8 Hip

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Moscow Helicopter Plant (Mil). Model: Mi-8 Nickname: HIP (NATO Codename)
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Helicopter
> FAA Category and Class: Rotorcraft/Helicopter
> Engine Description: twin turboshaft

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/7/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 0.5
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: —

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 92
> Date First Flown: 3/28/1997
> Location First Flown: Indian Springs Airfield, NV
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Lester

Recollections: See also writeup on the Hind, repeated below:

“During a USNTPS class field trip, we visited Nellis AFB to see some unusual airplanes.  We also had the opportunity to fly two Russian Helicopters, the Hip and the Hind.  This was the first (and only) time I ever flew Russian-manufactured aircraft and it was very interesting to see the differences between Russian and western designs.  The Hind appeared more utilitarian, less finished.  At the time, I wasn’t much of a helo pilot but I remember that–in the conditions we encountered–the Hind wouldn’t hover…and the safety pilot explained that it was really more like a fixed wing aircraft in terms of it’s flight profile, especially if heavy (i.e. running takeoff, running landing).  Very similar experience in the Hip, except that it could be hovered.”

This wasn’t the first time I’d been NEAR a Hip…in 1983 when I was operating out of Mogadishu, Somalia, there were a number of abandoned aircraft from the UK and Russia. Including this find Mi-8: