What a Ka-32 costs, how far it flies, and what it costs to keep
PlaneFox tracks 4 Ka-32 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
How far can a Kamov Ka-32 fly?
A Kamov Ka-32 flies about 459 nm, roughly 850 km, which is about 3 h 24 min in still air at typical cruise.
More questions about the Ka-32
How much does a Ka-32 cost?
What is the price range for a used Ka-32?
How many Ka-32 aircraft are for sale right now?
Where can I find a Ka-32 for sale?
What should I check when buying a used Ka-32?
About the Kamov Ka-32
Aircraft overview
The Kamov Ka-32 is a Russian twin engine, coaxial rotor utility helicopter developed by Kamov from the naval Ka-27 family for civil and parapublic work. The type first flew in the 1970s, with production beginning in the early 1980s at Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise. Unlike conventional tail rotor helicopters, the Ka-32 uses two contra rotating main rotors, giving it a compact footprint, strong hover control and no tail rotor power loss. It is widely associated with external lift, firefighting, construction support, search and rescue, shipboard logistics and operations in confined sites.
Performance & specifications
Typical figures vary by variant and equipment fit, but the widely used Ka-32A11BC is powered by two Klimov TV3-117VMA turboshaft engines, each rated at about 2,200 shp. Typical cruise speed is around 120 to 125 knots, with maximum speed around 140 knots. Published range is commonly in the region of 430 nautical miles with standard fuel. Service ceiling is about 16,400 feet. The aircraft is known for payload rather than speed: maximum external sling load is up to 11,000 lb, while internal cargo capability is about 8,800 lb depending on configuration and operating conditions.
Cabin & avionics
The Ka-32 has a utilitarian cabin designed for cargo, equipment or passenger seating rather than executive travel. Passenger layouts commonly seat up to 13, while transport and special mission interiors may use removable seats, cargo tie downs, rescue equipment, firefighting tanks or hoist installations. Cockpits on older aircraft are typically analog and Russian specification. Export and later certified examples, especially Ka-32A11BC aircraft, may have Western navigation and communication equipment, GPS, transponder, weather radar, autopilot and IFR capable packages. Garmin Perspective or G1000 should not be assumed, avionics are highly aircraft specific.
Buying & value
Used Ka-32 buyers usually compare the type against medium lift helicopters where external load, hot and high performance, shipboard handling or firefighting capability matter more than cabin refinement. Key due diligence items include engine and gearbox life, rotor blade condition, corrosion exposure, mission history, sling load cycles, firefighting system installation, certification basis and parts support. Common variants include the Ka-32T transport model, Ka-32S maritime model, Ka-32A civil version and Ka-32A11BC, the best known export and firefighting variant. Market positioning is specialized: values depend heavily on certification status, remaining component life, mission equipment and the buyer’s ability to support Russian origin systems.