Mil 8 perf info

[compressor stall]

Presuming someone will have the knowledge to help out here.

Recently chartered a mil8 in Russia. :eek: 5 passengers plus about 200kgs luggage...total about 650kgs.

Helicopter has a 40 minute flight from sea level to a destination that is 8000' above sea level and return to sea level (another 40 mins).

Now on the way up, we had to land, offload fuel into a portable tank, fly to alt, get dropped off, then on the way down they refuelled again and flew back home.

Surely a mil8 could do that without offloading the fuel? It's a big chopper and there was only 650kgs on board?

Or were the compressors just in REALLY bad shape?

:ugh:

[Shawn Coyle]

Some thoughts-
That's why there's a Mi-17 - better performance at altitude (call it Afghanistan...)
Depends on what operating rules they work to. It might require single engine Cat A type capability, which would explain the need to offload.
What was the OAT? Warm temperatures could also make a big difference.

[compressor stall]

About 0C at sea level and much colder at 8000'!

Never considered the single engine performance requirement bit. Guess it is a consideration in charter, not military.

Ta.

[Shawn Coyle]

It would depend on the level of supervision the authorities are giving, but that would probably be the reason.
A helicopter of that size has to be certified to Category A standards (based on number of seats available, not number of pax), and may have to operate to that performance (depending on the operating rules).
8,000' is pretty tough for any helicopter for single engine work, and an older machine would find it pretty tough going. An S-61 would barely be able to take the crew...

[Flytest]

Mil 8 and Single engine performance?? I'm led to believe that on most models this is a contradiction in terms.

[compressor stall]

Thanks Shawn,

I am aware (only through the tourist brochure though) that there was a crackdown on Kamchatkan civilian chopper operators after the crash that killed amongst others the governer of Sakhalin Island.

Of four companies, only two were closed because of safety issues.

BTW we paid $1050USD per hour :ooh: and they flew the sector in 15 mins less than they quoted, and three weeks later when we emerged frostbitten from the wilderness we had a refund! :ok:

[Shawn Coyle]

$1050 per hour? Wow!
But then again, you have to get there....

[Flytest]

Shawn,

for those of us in the UK who may not be able to catch Spaceship one's forthcoming attempt, do you know of any plans to video the event, or a webcast??

Thanx

FT

[Shawn Coyle]

Sorry - a bit late on the reply. I was busy out watching it happen, and then spent the rest of the day teaching. And standing amongst a crowd of experienced test pilots was interesting- immediately that it started to roll more than had been discussed in presentations, the others were saying - hmmm, shouldn't be doing that, etc.
At least God listened to Mike's prayer (common to all test pilots)
Dear God - don't let me screw up, or words to that effect.