Mil Helicopter: 77 years ago, the first flight of the Mi-1 helicopter took place

September 20, 2025, marked the 77th anniversary of the first flight of the GM-1 (Mil Helicopter), better known as the Mi-1 helicopter. The test pilot who lifted the machine into the air was Matvey Karlovich Baykalov. It was with this rotorcraft that the large-scale production of helicopters in the Soviet Union and their widespread practical use began.

The Mi-1 helicopter became the starting point for the creation of an experimental design bureau, which today bears the name of the outstanding aircraft designer Mikhail Mil. The bureau was founded on December 12, 1947. During its work, the Mil Design Bureau has developed 13 basic helicopter models and over 200 of their modifications, covering various classes — from light to super-heavy. Among them is the legendary multi-purpose Mi-8 helicopter, which has become the most popular in world history.

The excellent flight and technical characteristics of the rotorcraft "hare" are best evidenced by the 27 world records that were set on the helicopter between 1958 and 1968.

Mil's First Helicopter (GP-1)

In 1946, a helicopter laboratory was formed at TsAGI, headed by Mil. Under his direct supervision, a universal test stand for a full-scale helicopter installation (NGU) was created here. This stand was necessary for testing and researching full-size rotor blades, as well as refining the design of the main parts of helicopters. It was on the basis of the NGU that a helicopter was developed, which received the index GM-1 (Mil's First Helicopter).

During the tests of the rotorcraft, a flight speed of 175 km/h and a dynamic ceiling of 5200 meters were reached. Starting in 1949, the helicopter underwent state tests, which did not reveal any particular complaints about the machine, with the exception of the amount of vibration and the level of piloting.

вертолет Ми-1А Аэрофлота
Image source Авиару

In total, about 20 modifications of the Mi-1 helicopter were developed during its serial production.

Serial production of the helicopter continued from 1952 to 1960 at aircraft factories in Moscow, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don and Orenburg. Between 1956 and 1965, the helicopter was also produced in Poland in the city of Swidnik. In total, 2680 helicopters were assembled during serial production.

Mi-1 flight performance characteristics: overall dimensions: length — 12.09 m, height — 3.30 m, main rotor diameter — 14.35 m, tail rotor — 2.50 m. Empty helicopter weight — 1700 kg. Normal take-off weight — 2140 kg. Maximum take-off weight — 2330 kg. Power plant — PD Progress AI-26GRF with a capacity of 575 hp. Maximum flight speed — 185 km/h. Cruising speed — 130 km/h. Practical range — 430 km. Practical ceiling — 3500 m. Crew — 1 person, payload — 2 passengers or 255 kg of various cargo in the cabin, on an external sling up to 500 kg.