A Russian Mi-26 – considered to be the world’s largest helicopter – landed at Malta International Airport yesterday afternoon for a short stopover. Able to carry up to 100 passengers, the giant flying machine was on its way home after participating in an air show in Algeria. The Mi-26 is the largest and most powerful helicopter ever to have gone into production. It first flew in 1977 and has two very powerful turbine engines driving a big, eight-blade rotor. It can reach a speed of 295km/h.