Unauthorised Landing??
Talking by telephone with a prominent Nepalese politician this morning I was interested to hear his surprise at the news of the landing on the top of Everest by an AS 350B3. Apparently it is not known about by many (if any) in aviation circles in Kathmandu. This gentlemen's comment was that he was very surprised that the landing attempt had been approved by the Nepalese Government.
I remember back in the mid 70's a proposal to attempt a landing with a Bell 214 being rejected by the Nepalese Government.
Is it possible that M. Didier Delsalle was carrying out high altitude testing and the temptation became too great? Was official sanction given by the Nepalese Government for the landing? Did Eurocopter know in advance of the record attempt? Why is there an unnatural silence about the achievement in Kathmandu?
Of course, there is not much point in asking Eurocopter these questions!!