N57FU

N57FU is a Kamov Ka-26 operated by JEWETT BRANDON. SkyMeter has tracked 124 flights totalling 48 hours of airtime via ADS-B. The most frequent segment is CO12 to KGXY. Service window in our records spans 313 days. Of those flights, 32 (25.8%) carry at least one detected incident: a go-around, unstable approach, stall warning, or runway excursion. The Kamov Ka-26 has a maximum takeoff weight of 7,165 lb, light wake category.

About the Kamov Ka-26

The Kamov Ka-26 is a Soviet-designed light utility helicopter distinguished by its signature coaxial contra-rotating rotor system, eliminating the need for a tail rotor, and a unique modular fuselage that allows operators to swap mission-specific pods in minutes. First flown in 1965, the Ka-26 was built primarily for agricultural work, cargo transport, and passenger service across the USSR and Eastern Bloc, with over 850 produced through 1985. Its twin Vedeneyev M-14V-26 radial piston engines, mounted on outrigger pylons, give it unusual redundancy for a light helicopter and a distinctive appearance. The coaxial rotor design provides excellent hover stability and a compact footprint, making it ideal for confined-area operations.

Though the Ka-26 never achieved widespread adoption in Western markets, a small number found their way to North America as surplus aircraft in the post-Cold War era, where they've been operated by private owners and agricultural operators. The type's rugged construction and simple systems have kept a handful airworthy decades after production ended, though parts support remains challenging. Maximum speed is modest at around 93 knots, with a service ceiling near 10,000 feet and typical mission endurance of two to three hours depending on payload configuration.

SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.