Helicopters in the Himalayas

[mary meagher]

Could some of you rotorheads answer a question? I've just finished reading a book by Ed Viesturs about climbing in the Himalayas, and he at one stage uses a large Russian Mi-l7 for delivering gear and people to base camp at Annapurna, 14,000'. How high can a helicopter do useful work?

[topendtorque]

I think it was Aser the other day with some parachutists, up talking to Jesus. Ask him

Mind you, that's nuthin new, most of us spend some time talking to the old codger for various reasons now and then.
all the best tet

[the coyote]

Hey, nice to chat the other day Aser. Rude parachutists though, they were outta there quick smart. Sacrilegious heathen, you all smell like cabbage....

[Gordy]

Mary,

To answer your question, it varies depending upon multiple factors. Generally the higher you go, the less useful load can be carried.

As a rough guide, light helicopters, (Bell 206L4- with TRACS, Bell 407, B3 Astar), can all do useful work up to around 12,000 to 14,000 feet. Above that and you are pretty much having to start stripping it down.

As for the Mil-17....I do not know.

[Mil-8MTV]

For Mil it will be 18000 feet

[9Aplus]

More...
if PBS Safir APU on board :cool:

[fijdor]

For a Bell 205, 25,500 ft DA is still capable but landings are not an option.

fijdor