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Old 9th February 2007 | 10:49
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NickLappos
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 1
From: USA
Makes Little Sense

The development of a new certified helicopter in the 6000 lb class (my guess based on the cartoon provided) costs perhaps $300Million. The market size for helos that can hover at 30,000 feet is perhaps 3. Makes it a pretty hefty price tag when you charge $100Million each.

Diesel is the worst engine for the mission, heaviest, and most affected by the thin air. If it is a twin, the losses are even worse. Turbines shine in that environment.

Also, the decision to build a man-rated UAV for this mission makes me wonder what the design team left off of the high-risk equation. A person/seat and such add 800 lbs to the design, leaving a pilot out for a mountain rescue mission seems risky. Since the loss rate for UAV's at this time is about 20% per year of operations, the safety for the passenger would be very questionable.
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