Operating R44 in Nepal

[helops]

What do you think about operating a R44 in Nepal, for pub transport and sightseeing flights?

Is it a good idea, considering the weather, high altitude environment, mountain waves, strong winds?

Just need opinions from experienced pilot, who work/worked in Nepal.

Thanks!

[IntheTin]

Is it a good idea, considering the weather, high altitude environment, mountain waves, strong winds?

Think you kind of answered your own question there.....:hmm:

[9Aplus]

This "manual" is MUST READ (http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=88434&d=1324353438) for the case...:}

[SASless]

Does one really need to have operated R-44's and/or flown in Nepal....to be able to answer that question?:rolleyes:

[helops]

...any opinion is accepted...

[unstable load]

...any opinion is accepted...

I gather from the replies that it's a solid

NOT ADVISED!!:=

[SASless]

The Robbie folks show a gross weight IGE hover at 7950 feet I think it is...which using their weight numbers would give about a 500-600 pound load of pax and/or freight. I guess that assumes the usual ISA day.

What they don't factor in is the piston engine reliability as compared to a turbine engine.

Compared to a B model 206....not much difference probably.

The service ceiling of 14,000 msl might then become a problem.

My vote is still the same....when it comes to Robbies...."Eat another Cheeseburger with Fries and Chocolate Shake and just say No!"

[Vertical Freedom]

Yep there is a black R44 sitting on the Helipad at VNKT :sad: :ugh: :ugh::ugh:

SASless R44 not much diff to a B206. I don't think SO... I have flown the 206B here to Mera, rescue flt for 1 x pax ;16,400'@ 2oC, so the ole Jetbox can be worked up here. But do that in a R44 hahahahaha,. At KTM they have already lost 5inches of MP at VNLK loose -10", not to mention; no AVGAS, no cargo space, no looks, no big safety record, not like a Jetbox or an Ecureuil has.

Will it work in Nepal with EXTREME weather conditions & ISA plus 35oC being not uncommon???????

nah me thinks not :ouch:

[Phoinix]

If I understand the basics of thermodynamical aspect of engines, any turbine engine has by default, at SL, too much air supply from the N1/NG stage which starts to dissipate at a certain altitude, where normally N1/Ng will be the power limiting factor (or maybe TOT in hot environments, but not TQ).

Correct me if I'm wrong but R44 doesn't have any super/turbo charger to get the air supply up? The air supply to the engine than drops as soon as you go higher than SL.

[helops]

...interesting...:hmm:

[helops]

Vertical Freedon, thank you for the post. Are you from Nepal?

Could you please tell me more about flying in Nepal.

Is it a good place to work, based in KTM? What about the life conditions?

Thanks

[topendtorque]

What has been a real eyeopener to me is the high temperatures that VF reports on all of of his photographs in their summer climate. such as

16,400'@ 2oC


I had always figured the place as a cold kinda joint. Not much wonder there is so much agricutural industry there-abouts.

So yer 'onor I would argue for the case on the grounds that it will provide a very stimulating environment for pucker factor tension measurements, near life moments and ex-strawd-in-erry learning experiences for young pilots to fit them out for a life of high DA aviation. yessirree.:ok:

[hillberg]

Like the Cop in JAWS, "Think we'll need a bigger boat !"

[A.Agincourt]

Teeterhead in that terrain??? Naw..................not good at all.

Best Wishes

[GoodGrief]

16,400'@ 2oC

No matter how benevolent I calculate that, I see a DA> 20000ft.
Now, wouldn't that bust a legal limit?

[Helinut]

helops,

if you have a look at the Rotorheads around the World thread you will see VF's track record in Nepal :ok:

[SASless]

16,400'@ 2oC..... I see a DA> 20000ft.
Now, wouldn't that bust a legal limit?

What is the legal limit for Density Altitude?

[Vertical Freedom]

ALTITUDE LIMITATIONS

Maximum operating 20,000 feet pressure altitude :p

ABOVE 3000 POUNDS (1360.8 KilOGRAMS) Maximum operating -13,500 feet density altitude :eek:

[SASless]

R-44 Mk II is 14,000.

[helops]

Could anybody say how is the life in Kathmandu? Anybody who has been there for work?

Would you recommend an european to move in Nepal for job?

Just need some opinions.

Thank you guys!

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste

Nepal is a wonderful relaxed place to live; uncomplicated, friendly, safe, clean water, clean air (outside of KTM). Crime is almost zero, cost of living is very low. Life in KTM is great, weather is warm in summer 32oC, freezing in winter 5oC. power cuts due to load shedding is up to 19hours per day. It is an exciting place to live with lots of things to do, see, explore, party, adventure treks, history, she has loads to offer. Traffic is a nightmare. Dust & high pollution due to being surrounded by 8-10,000' mountains forming a bowl that helps lock in all the crap due to an almost year round inversion lid. ATC are helpful, no nonsense for Rotory, But the flying is the most adventurous, most extreme & most serious & most dangerous that I have ever experienced in 22 years of flying in 9 countries. High winds changing direction in every valley, every gully, every ravine & at differing heights the direction can change, turbulance, extreme haze & monsoons requires often very low level flying down in the rivers at 50'agl with slant vis 100m & vertical & horizontal vis below500m. DA is common to be over ISA +35oC with landings up to 23,000' in the B3+ 21,000' in the B2, 16,000' for the B & 206BIII. We do cargo, charter, sling, rescue, film - You name it we do it, usually with HIGE only, HOGE is a luxury we use for rescue sling & film, we even do HCL - a rescue crewman hanging on a fixed line attached to the swing hook to rescue someone where we can't land. Thank God for the B3+ = the most agile, most capable & most powerful Helicopter in the world at high altitude & DA, nothing else comes even close to this babies get up & go :ok: Jai Shiv Shankar :cool:

[helops]

Nice thread!!! Thank you very much VF!

p.s. are you Nepali?

Thanks

[SHortshaft]

Great post VF, but I suspect that only 1 in 10 'aviator types' will be able to look at life in South Asia and see it as you (and I) have seen it!

For all the reasons that VF has mentioned (and more) in Nepal they have an accident record in all forms of aviation that is cause for concern in many circles.

An R-44 is a fine helicopter that has its place in the rotary world. IMHO that 'place' does not include Nepal.

To all who fly in that fantastic country 'take it easy out there'!

http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/48623/2446504650026425335S500x500Q85.jpg
A Bell 206L3, on the ground at about 13,000 feet with Everest in the background, many years ago.

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste

Heliops from my pix & posts I assumed all PPruners knew that I live & work in Nepal, so yes I live & work here at the 'Top of the World'. :ok:

Shortshaft yes You are right due to our extremes in weather & ultra high DA; accidents are high. However please note that it is predominantly the Fixed-wing boys involved in the high number of accidents!! From my experience & observations here; Nepali Helicopter Pilots are amongst the best in the world based on their working environment & low accident rates :D

Cheers & Happy landings :cool:

VF