How things change. The 'height climb' to 10,000ft in a Whirlie 7 was a major exercise during wings training, and took 30 minutes each way, parachute and all. I swear the instructor was more nervous than the stude, but after a quick demo of retreating blade stall (actually a surreptitious kick at the base of the cyclic by the instructor, no way was he going anywhere near such a condition <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> ) and a long auto down, we tried never to go above 200' agl for the rest of the time in the Andrew.
These days, cruise at 7-10k is commonplace, and all my winter ops are 7-8000, operating from 6000' amsl pads. Doors off ops. are one of my favourites, swanning along with the best view in town (and a decent heater in winter....)
Nervous of heights? Don't look down <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
[ 23 January 2002: Message edited by: John Eacott ]</p>