Top of the World: photos from Nepal

[Vertical Freedom]

Worlds tallest Bungee Jump - Last Resort, Kodari district :8:8:8
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090880.jpg

Worlds tallest Bungee Jump - Last Resort, Kodari district :ouch::ouch::ouch:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090877.jpg

Worlds tallest Bungee Jump - Last Resort, Kodari district :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090875.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Rimche 8,409' @ 21oC - Langtang valley, 2 x PAX + 24kg cargo + 21usgal GoJuice :confused::rolleyes::ooh:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090855.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090845-1.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

living in the hills :ok::p:cool:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090830.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

climbing for the pass ~ 20,000' :cool::eek::E
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090918.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

looking out for orbiting satellites:}:*:ooh:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090935.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Sagarmatha summit 29,211' (Mt Everest) & the Western Cwm :\ veiwed here at only 23,000'amsl @-20oC:cool::cool::cool:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090939.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090962.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100008.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100031.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Ngozumpa Glacier & Tarns off the moran :ok::ok::ok:http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100052.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Gokyo village 15,615' & Doodh Pokhari (Milk Lake) :ooh::ooh::ooh:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100039.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Sagarmatha - our Planets highest above sea Mountain @ 29,211' :E (rear left) :suspect:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100055.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Sagarmatha - our Planets highest above sea Mountain @ 29,211' :8:8:8
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100064.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Namche Bazaar :p
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100085.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Tengboche (Tyangboche) Monastery :D:D:D
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100080.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Ngozumpa Glacier & Tarns off the moran :oh::oh::oh:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100041.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Doodh Pokhari (Milk Lake) 15,615' :bored::bored::bored:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090991.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

:E:E:E another day peering out the office perspex bubble :suspect::suspect::suspect:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090961.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Winter is coming - Lamjura pass ~ 12,000' :O:O:O
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100018.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090907.jpg
& 1 week before..............................:ouch::ouch::ouch:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090752.jpg

[krypton_john]

Aaaaaah. Some of the best yet! :D

[Vertical Freedom]

hehehe thanks John - keep up doin' Kryptonite & lets see some pix from the Kiwi's :ok::ok::ok:

Land Happy always :):):)

VF

[Vertical Freedom]

Sagarmath centre back stage, the top of Our Planet WoW :D:D:D
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100028.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

:p:p:p suckin' on the O2 - oooh Yaaar :ooh::ooh::ooh: ~21,000' :mad:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090954.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

WoW up here; Sagamatha Ji (Everest) is watching over me everywhere...:uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090915.jpg

[Nushie]

I miss it :{:{:{

[WLM]

21000 feet wow factor man; are you still flying the 206 at that height? :eek:

[Vertical Freedom]

RFM - service ceilings for the B206BIII = 20,000' PA & for the AS350B3+ = 23,000' PA :ooh::ooh:

Landing :O:O:O well that's whole other story.......:ouch:

B3+ = 23,000' PA depending on conditions & for the Jetbox +~- 16,500' with very good conditions :}:}:}

Land Happy always :D:D

VF

Note below 23,100' on QNH & still climbing.......:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090935.jpg

[veloo maniam]

VF...a million thanks for the lovely photos.
I enjoyed every second of it.
I love to see the zenith of Everest. From the top if possible. Any close shots?
also could you post shots of waterfalls.
Thank you so much.:ok::D:)

[Savoia]

I love to see the zenith of Everest. From the top if possible.


Hmm .. with Everest sitting at a height of 29,000 ft. that could prove a little challening .. even for VF!

However, from an airliner the mount looks like this:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bh1WjpSlat0/UKOpSyzQtYI/AAAAAAAAKew/4p0OWjFfvNU/s765/Everest.jpg

And from a satellite in low earth orbit, like this (Everest on the left):

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yb-ruXwsv9U/UKOpS4IGowI/AAAAAAAAKe0/k5OjdvjrhSA/s770/Evereast+space.jpg

[Gemini Twin]

VF, I have to ask do you have a C20R in the Jet Ranger?

[wdew]

Lovely to see the change with the snow
man I love your photos

[krypton_john]

Hi VF - seeing you are interested - here's my son, backseat driving over Westhaven, Waitemata Harbour, Auckland:

But the scenery is dead boring by comparison!

Cheers
John
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s527/kryptonjohn/Picture476.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste Gemini Twin

haaa I dream for the C20R but sadly she is only the C20J.:{:{

We are looking for a ultra light weight Jetbox, maybe an A206 with power pedals & the C20R, we could really utilize the extra power it up here :ok::ok:

Happy Landings :D:D:D

VF

[Vertical Freedom]

Hey John

Your Son is a handsome 'n bright looking fella. :):):) hehehe scenery is scenery, its all good, thanks for posting, yep You & me; we are still looking for he same landing spot...........if....................&...

Land Happy always :D:D:D

VF

[oxo]

Your pictures are the highlight of the week. Thanks.

Do you always do these runs with two pilots?

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste OXO

Thanks for the compliments. ;););)
For training local CoJo's we do 2 Pilot. Otherwise its always single Pilot ops here, especially when landing at ultra high altitudes everything is out; seats, doors, 2nd battery, tools with bare minimum fuel to get the job done. :eek::eek::eek:

Happy Landings always :D:D:D

VF

[agodesign]

congrats at 69k my friend:cool:

[Vertical Freedom]

WoW thanks Agodesign - 100,000 here we come yipeeee :D

[before landing check list]

I will be in Kathmandu 1-4 December visiting and just looking around. If anyone wants to say hello the 1st beer is on me.

[gcpilot8]

http://www.nagariknews.com/components/com_fpss/images/DSC_0207.jpg

Helicopter landed on top of a building in Kathmandu, Nepal during a rescue mission.

[Vertical Freedom]

Vayoda Hospital rooftop Heli-Pad in KTM. First ever roof top Heli-Pad in Nepal, first ever on a Hospital. This was a trial flight for CAAN officials in the process of approving the pad ;)

Happy Landings :D

VF

[gcpilot8]

Must be nice to be on the front page of a national newspaper:):ok:

stay safe out there in the Himalayas:ok:

[rotorrookie]

Nice photo of B3+ instruments @ 23000'
climbing 450fpm and seems you got plenty of juice left.... amazing performer the B3+ and fuel flow down to 104l/hr :ok:

[HannibalHayes]

Hey VF

Love your pics best thread on this Forum. Couple questions.

Am curious about how you work your fuel. I've noticed due the extreme altitudes you work at, most of your sorties are leaving with little fuel. Do you have many fuel caches in more remote locations or at higher altitudes to get you back home?

Also on the B3 I see you never use the FLI, instead favoring the individual T4, NG and TRQ gauges. Is this a personal preference? I've always found the FLI to be a very easy and handy monitor especially on longline work. Do you find this different at higher altitudes?

Cheers Hannibal

[Reefdog]

fantastic shots VF
What camera are you using ( if this has been asked somewhere i missed it?

On a 139 two pilot offshore oil contract this way and bored sh-tless,,DO miss single pilot ops and medevac work in remote areas

You keep me sane

Swap ya jobs any day

Reef

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste gcpilot8 - Yep :cool::cool::cool: Cheers ;)

Namaste rotorrookie - Yar well the engine is proven to 44,000'PA so she still has to have a lot of get up & go in her still......:8 fuel was for 2 Mountain flights back to back, 4 x pax to 23,000'PA :eek:

Namaste HaniblHayes - Yes we must ferry mission & return fuel almost everywhere throughout Nepal, I think there a are 5 airports with fuel in the whole country. Certainly all remote & high altitude aerial-work fuel is flown in, in 20litre plastic jerrys. Yes I prefer the 3 instrument page as low level (rare) You watch torque, but I only ever watch Ng & that page gives me a much finer bigger picture? It's like comparing sweet n sour, personal preference? :\

Namaste Reefdog - thanks 'n cheers :ok::ok::ok:

Land Happy always :):):)

VF :O

[RVDT]

Re the VEMD and FLI.

VF, I agree with your preference.

The FLI needle is derived from given information mapped in the system and it does not give you the fine grained information that is so important where you operate.

Of note is that Delta Ng also accounts for generator load.

There is a little more info on a previous thread here (http://www.pprune.org/archive/index.php/t-393649.html).

[Vertical Freedom]

:rolleyes::cool::ooh::8:p;):E:ok::eek:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100133.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

:ouch::eek::bored: another day in the office :(:confused::\:8:ooh::suspect:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100118.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Machapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) centre stage & pointy :O:p:rolleyes:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100112.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Begnas Tal ;););)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100103.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Begnas Tal & my Salewa light trekking shoes WoW they're clean :yuk::yuk::yuk:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100088.jpg

[HowlingMad Murdock]

Vertical Freedom - superb scenery - truly breathtaking! Thanks for sharing more pics from your 'office window' :)

[krypton_john]

Hi VF - is there a glimpse of you in this?

BI2TlvNJxCo

What a great project.

Cheers
JohnO

[Vertical Freedom]

:ooh: :ooh: :ooh: Mountaineers on the summit of Island Peak (20,305') seen here at ~ 21,000' :eek: :eek: :eek:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090216-1.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090215_zpsc38a2797.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1090212_zps86b4e583.jpg

[belly tank]

Wow that last pic is stunning! Looks like that sheer face is just clinging on for dear life!!
:ok:

[nuthin]

so do you print those photos off and sell them to the same mountaineers in basecamp?

[RVDT]

The compass mod in the Short Ranger at post #805 - PRICELESS! :ok:

[Vertical Freedom]

Hehehe yep that compass mod is completely useless it's just there for show, it only works on ground with rotors stopped ???:{:*:ooh:

[robin303]

VF Which helo you like the best up there.

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste robin303

The best Helicopter for me up here is the one with the most power margin & most forgiving hmmmm there is only one to choose from & that's the AS350B3 :cool:

Happy Landings Always :D

vF

[robin303]

Roger that VF :ok:

[toptobottom]

...there is only one to choose from & that's the AS350B3
No surprises there then!

[Robert Cooper]

Your photos are phenominal VF, keep them coming. This is scenery most folks never get to see. :ok:

Stay safe. Bob C

[Peter-RB]

Namaste VF,

What are the very square areas that are next to a lake of some sorts ,are they growing beds for such like as vegatables or fish?

As ever, you are blowing the minds of us normally earth bound people who might only get into free Air every once in a while.

Brilliant pictures my high altitude friend, it really is a pleasure to follow your thread.

Fly with God of on your shoulder, for we all enjoy immensely your posts>

Many regards

Peter R-B Lancashire UK

[veloo maniam]

VF...have you airlifted anyone to/fro the peak of Everest?:ok:

[krypton_john]

Heh! If he has, I don't think he'd tell anyone about it!

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste Fellow Rotorheads

Thanks for the compliments on the pix I very much appreciate them which is inspiring to post more :)

The square ponds by the lake is a huge fish farm :bored:

Hehehehehe my ultra high altitude rescues are restricted to the service ceiling of the RFM - 23,000'PA :ugh::\:eek:

Happy Landings always:ok:

VF

Ps. krypton_john Your right :O

[krypton_john]

Heh! If it was me stuck at 23100' and you were about I still wouldn't give up hope for a rescue, mate!
;)

[Vertical Freedom]

Krypton John

Hang in there Brother I'm inbound :8

❤OmOmOm❤

VF

[veloo maniam]

VF..what happens when someone needs rescue from the peak?

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste viloo malia

We do many peak or near peak rescues.... There are many peaks here below 23,000'pa

Happy Landings always

VF

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2800.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2823.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Pokhra Xpo : Tail-Rotor is safe & clear WoW — ;)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3011.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

VNPK :E
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3004.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Kuine 8.005' @24oC, 4 x PAX + 40kg cargo + 35usgal GoJuice :ok:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2997.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2964.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Freakiest cloud formations I have ever seen.....lots of Lenticulars :O
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2939.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Gorak Shep Rescue flight :ok::bored::O
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2942.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Tashinga - Rescue flight, more weird clouds :8:8:8
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2937.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Khumjung - Rescue flight;););)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2931.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

attempted High Altitude Rescue @ 20,000' - unable to land due extreme turbulence, high winds 80kts + :yuk::yuk::yuk:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100192.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

reccon for Rescue @ 20,000' landing height, mmmm conditions not suitable, winds way to high, try again tomorrow :bored::ouch::eek::mad:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100185.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100178.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

coming off the Mountain looking for holes :{:sad::=
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100166.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100151.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100148.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Mount Ama Dablam in the background at Pangboche :suspect::ooh::rolleyes:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100140.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Sagarmatha (Everest) centre rear stage WoW the ultimate WoW :oh::ok::)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2908.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Sagarmatha (Everest) centre rear stage WoW the ultimate WoW :cool::p:ooh:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2901.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

looking for holes to sneak down into Lukla, note the wind off Sagarmatha :ouch::\:eek:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100135.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2874.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Phaplu Valley Solu district :ok::):O
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2865.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Halesi 4,897' @ 18oC Rescue flight; 4 x pax + 42kg cargo + 22usgal GoJuice. Yauwww may be remote but wires everywhere :{:ugh::hmm:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2864.jpg

[ka26]

Dear VF

You are posting very beautiful photos!!! Keep them coming..

However winds of 80+ kt are extremely strong, even for the B3. I would never fly with 80 kt :) The max approved is 50 kt.


Don't you have news about the R44 operating in Pokhara? Have you ever seen it flying?

Thank you

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste ka26

Yep 80kt wind is very serious, but the only way to know exactly what is really going on in the upper atmosphere; is go & have a look. Weather info here is sketchy for this work, at airports its fine. Hence I went, had a look & bailed out for a beer. :{:{:{

The 44 is nicely rotting away under its perished cover still at VNPK, turned a blade last time was about 8months ago??:yuk::yuk::yuk:

Happy Landings :ok::ok::ok:

VF

[Nubian]

Ka26,

The windspeed you refer to is not a limitation, but is a statement from the Performance section as to what windspeeds starting and stopping of the rotors has been demontrated with wind in the nose.

Allthough 80kts is not something I would not prefer flying in, it is not over the "limit"

[Vertical Freedom]

Thanks Nubian for the words I was looking for exactly ;););)

[Bellrider]

That is right! Bell 06 has no wind limitation during flight! Only critical wind azimut during startup und cooldown!
But normal it is no fun to fly at wind speed over 50kt

[topendtorque]

Hot damn, not often i get to fly in wind speeds at lower levels in excess of 35 knots, but I always enjoy the higher speeds if i am going that way and not at all the other way.

IMHO that I have often encountered high wind speeds at around 5500 to 9000 feet in central OZ as South Easterlies during the dry season at up 65 to 70 knots in FW's and once again, most enjoyable if going that way. Going the other way it's either nose bleeds or very B rough at low level.

[Vertical Freedom]

Hehehehehe keep it VMC, in the green, upright & clear of terrain :8

Play safe - be safe :ok::ok::ok:

VF

[ka26]

Dear VF,

operating at that altitudes, close to the limit of the B3+.. Are you using FLI page or 3 separate parameters?

Thank you!!!

[toptobottom]

KA26 - Here's (http://www.pprune.org/7542244-post799.html)your answer.

VF - Look out for a PM. I'm in your neck of the woods this summer. Would be good to hook up :ok:

[Finnrotor.com]

These are absolutely amazing pics VF, please keep them coming!

[Vertical Freedom]

that damn haze :yuk::{:ugh:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110158_zps34198018.jpghttp://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110149_zpsac9f9cae.jpghttp://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3362_zps759985aa.jpghttp://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110160_zps2e51d1ae.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110151_zps71873905.jpg

[Savoia]

Very nice VF! :ok: I see you are still driving "Double India" - it must be a hard thing to continually flog a 206 about the rarefied atmosphere of the Himalayas!

Do you ever fly around Mt. Manaslu?

Mount Manaslu (also known as Kutang) is the eighth highest mountain in the world and is located in the Mansiri Himal part of the Nepalese Himalayas in the west-central part of Nepal. Its name (which means "Mountain of the Spirit") comes from the Sanskrit word Manasa, meaning "intellect" or "soul". Manaslu was first climbed on May 9, 1956 by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu, members of a Japanese expedition. It is said that "While the British consider Everest their mountain, so Manaslu has always been the mountain of the Japanese."

Manaslu sits at 8,156 metres (or 26,759 ft) above mean sea level and is the highest peak in the Lamjung District and is located about forty miles east of Annapurna. The mountain's long ridges and valley glaciers offer feasible approaches from all directions and culminate in a peak that towers steeply above its surrounding landscape and is a dominant feature when viewed from afar.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PNxLOcRT0QA/UPGMzOPWSrI/AAAAAAAALZE/c8fq8AgjriI/s860/Mount+Manaslu%2C+Nepal.jpg
Mount Manaslu in the Himalayas

[Flying Bull]

Titel hinzufügen

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste Savoia

Yep I fly around Manaslu often, check a few pages back where I was doing Rescues at camp 3 after a massive avalanche. Actually Manaslu probably kills more Climbers than any other, she is extremely dangerous :{

We only use the Jetbox for Rescues up to 16,000' give or take 500' that is about her limit to pick up 1. :eek:

Cheers & Happy Landings

VF

[Vertical Freedom]

Bad hair day :{:ooh::=
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3501_zps4be64324.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

approaching Lamjura pass 12,000' YaY the ole Jetbox :ok:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3468_zps2d2d7448.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

another day another Rupee less tax :E:E:E
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3450_zps1272fe42.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3448_zps1249cb54.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Rawa 8,749' Rescue flight extremely critical patient landed KTM - OK :D:D:D
❤OmOmOm❤
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110166_zps444cf800.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Panorama Hotel breaky near Syangboche 12,700' :8;):zzz:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3414_zpsb92ae3d3.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3408_zps43f64780.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

locals from Phat, 6,309' :ok::cool::p
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110132_zpsc552bdb5.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110135_zps00c9da3a.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Dimbul 8,303' Rescue flight :\:rolleyes::ooh:
❤OmOmOm❤
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110055_zps0b1b5266.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110064_zpsb04c1c19.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110045_zpsb271adc1.jpg
http://http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110055_zps0b1b5266.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

what the......descending out of 20,000' over the pass :eek::eek::eek: yep that an ole Jetbox B206BIII :*

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100905_zps321ca405.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100908_zps5390d73c.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1100866_zps52e4f727.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Kalapathar Rescue 17,772' @ +1.3oC 3 x pax + 45kg cargo + 125litres GoJuice ;):suspect::eek:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3515_zps1ffb09d6.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Vegemite come too :=:O:D
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3353_zpsbde55915.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

WoW lovely Nepali Ladies :ok::);)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3323_zps43088341.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3321_zps189b90a2.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110163_zpsd68d59ac.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3348_zpsad68be7d.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3346_zps517b1921.jpg

[Peter-RB]

Happy New year from the Western World Vertical F,

Now that last picture must be worth a small fortune to some one in Oz. let alone to you, send a letter fella, the return could be awsome!

Peter R-B
Lancashire..UK:ok:

[Peter3127]

I understand that Bell have successfully trialed Vegemite as an emergency "run-dry" XMSM lubricant for remote area Ops.

Buoyed by their success, the word is that they are looking to extend TT strap life by up to four times by liberal application of what aerospace engineers all over the world are now recognising as the "black wonder".

This work of course follows the discovery of 27 "as new" Spitfires buried in transit crates Myanmar wrapped only in cheese cloth and Vegemite. :ok:

None of this would have been possible if this product had stayed in Aussie hands. Just as powered flight was first demonstrated by Aussie Lawrence Hargrave in 1894, it took the Americans to turn it into a long running mini-series (1903 - present day). :8

[Peter3127]

By the way ... the Danger arrow is pointing the wrong way in that last one. ;)

[Senior Pilot]

By the way ... the Danger arrow is pointing the wrong way in that last one. ;)

Now that is funny :ok:

[Jet Ranger]

VF,

it seems that AH indicator on your old Jetbox is always in the "same":( position.

Keep going with pictures!

JR:ok:

[Anthony Supplebottom]

I think you will find the AH is U/S.

[Fareastdriver]

Why aren't you up to you're necks in snow, in January.

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste Peter-RB
Happy New-Year Brother, may this year be the Best yet :ok:

Namaste Peter 3127
Vegemite is to preciously yummy to waste in the MGB, I'd rather eat that black stuff :ooh::E Vegemite is only dangerous to the folks not raised up on it :p

Namaste Jet Ranger & Anthony
Yep the A/H, VOR, DME, DG are all U/S not required for DVFR in Nepal, but I wish all that was not in there to give me more leverage on the club :{

Namaste Fareastdriver
strangely we have had ZERO snow fall this winter, it sure has been cold enough :cool: probably be good for the upcoming Mountaineering season :*

Namaste ka26
I prefer to use the 3 instrument page, as low level (rare) You watch torque, but I only ever watch Ng & that page gives me a much finer bigger picture? Personally I don't like the FLI page. It's personal preference? http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/wibble.gif

[thepross]

Love the Vegemite shot. And i enjoy it in Hawaii...

[Vertical Freedom]

VNPL Ppaplu 8,077' Aerial Trukking, uplift 750kg cargo + 130litres Go Juice, fly to VNSB Syangboche 12,402'; zero/zero arrival, almost no HIGE, then fly back to VNPL landing with 65litres GoJuice. YeeHaaa :}:*:\
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3492_zpsbffb5375.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

KTM scenes around Sunset from my apartment roof top - WoW :cool::p;)

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110266_zps4f634b94.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110268_zps2c70cfee.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110277_zps6515a654.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110278_zps4482d915.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110285_zps7ec86b44.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

during a ultra high mapping mission, scenes from 23,000+' :E:sad::}
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110264_zps1cf141d6.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Ultra High Altitude mapping & photo shoot 23,000'+ :mad::ouch::\

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110260_zps56ccb8e6.jpg


http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110212_zpsaf2489b3.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Sagarmatha (Everest) making her own clouds, photo shoot & mapping, 23,000' WoW :ooh::8:uhoh:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110191_zps6c714b1a.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

NASA tracking us in an Earth outer atmosphere flight path :eek::ooh::eek:
caution; lower orbiting satellites :confused::}
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110198_zps0fdc8b0c.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Sagarmatha - the very top of our Planet Earth 8,852m - 29,042' (though some claim claim 9klm -29,527'??) :ouch:

Land Happy Always :ok:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110205_zps081c7832.jpg

[bondu]

Just Plain AWESOME!!!!!!!

bondu:ok::ok:

[Phone Wind]

Fabulous and awesome pictures indeed VF. What type of camera do you use, or do you have several? Keep the pictures coming - they make my week. But take care, those are really scary looking mountains :eek:

[belly tank]

Hi VF, I have a signed Eurocopter hat by Didier Dalselle on a commemorative cap of his Everest landing in the B3.It states 8850m. Just thought I'd share this useless info!!

Cheers and cool pics (pardon the pun)

[wdew]

Now that is some serious drop offs there !
Nice shots again.:D

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste Rotorheads

Thanks for Your positive compliments on my pictures...I really appreciate those. Cheers

Sagarmatha (Everest) height; if You Google it, there is a plethora of statements, comments, facts, formulas etc on the claimed height. Some as low as 8,840m, 8,847m, 8,848m, 8,850m, 8,852m even up to 9,000m :E all I can say is; its BLOODY high :8
Whilst doing mapping & filming around the upper reaches we are (aroundish) 23,000'+++ & the Peak of Sagarmatha is still an amazingly loooooooong way up :eek::\:*

Land Happy Always :)

VF

[Vertical Freedom]

Sherpa wedding, Khagbhadi :cool:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3549_zpscdfc42a5.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3551_zps5e790d08.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3553_zps42f240ba.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Pheriche - Ginger tea, biscuits, camera adjustment & SD card change out + fuel during upper Sagamartha mapping :{:uhoh::}
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3575_zps8f63ce75.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Health is Wealth - Yoga practice leads the way!! :ok:;):cool:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3647_zps6252e19e.jpg

[Jet Ranger]

Tea and ....... Tuborg :}

JR

[Peter-RB]

Namaste VF

Yet again totally stunning views that us low altitude folk only ever glimpse in posts such as yours, I dont know about the others who read your posts,...... but I would swop places with you and pay for the privilage just to see such sights as you do at first hand ..and as you say in your daily office commute.!

Many regards

Peter RB. Lancashire

stay safe whilst dusting the snow from the cheeks of the Lord

[Bitmonx]

Hi VF,

been with PPRUNE for a while and i must say, about the only threads i check nowadays on the forum is if you have posted new pics or the Rotary Jobs section.......

One question for ya: How do you deal with the massive turbulance you encounter and what AS is the best to ride them? I know this depends on the altitude your flying at due to VNE?

Have fun, be safe and never ever forget that some people would do some pretty weired stuff to be able to do what you do in the B3.......

Cheers,

bitmonx

[Vertical Freedom]

Good Morning fellow Rotorheads Jet Ranger, Peter & Bitmonx

Roar Yar Tuborg Tea :}:=:yuk:

Thanks for the positive vibes on my pix, greatly appreciated as always :ok:

Turbulence penetration speed errr well???? (nothing in the RFM) I find I just punch through at what ever speed works giving the least amount of machine bouncing around :confused:

Land Happy always :D

VF

[Vertical Freedom]

Sagarmatha - the Majestic Everest :hmm::ooh::eek: (guess the A/C height AMSL?):E

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110235_zps3c616781.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110239_zpsb3c4d73b.jpg

[rjtjrt]

VF
How Is the weather this winter?
Is it a typical winter season?
Maybe you are just picking the days to take a photo, but I always imagine winter there as snow, snow, snow.
I appreciate all the photograph's you post - a really impressive effort.
John

[Madbob]

VF - Thanks for posting these latest pics - fascinating as always.:ok:

One question though - do you have any av med issues such as decompression bends, altitude sickness, O2 ear etc.? Or is it just a question of getting yourself fully acclimatised by being "in theatre" for the job?

I presume that no amount of acclimatisation would dispense with the need for supplemental O2 at 23,000 ft - if so do you use a canula or a mask? My (RAF) training was O2 at 10,000 ft (air mix), above 25,000 ft needed 100% O2 and above 40,000 ft needed pressure breathing. :eek::eek:

Safe flying as always.

MB

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste Madbob

I think decompression sickness (the bends) comes from extended deep diving using compressed air. :{

CAAN regs require supplemental O2 above 10,000' ;) Acclimatisation does play a huge mega role. It is better to not use O2 whenever possible as it spoils acclimatisation. For landing below 19,000' & crossing passes I no longer use. However landing in the 'dead zone' the cannula O2 is always on above 20,000' for landings, prelonged ultra high altitude mapping, filming etc ('dead zone' - Mountaineers term for when above 20,000'+ as the body starts to seriously starve for O2 & vital body functions begin to shut down, on most people, but not all!) :\

Land Happy always :D

VF :ok:

[wdew]

I Like the new cameras

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110257_zps42ee2717.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110212_zpsaf2489b3.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110205_zps081c7832.jpg

[Evil Twin]

Can't help but love your work VF, keep em coming brother.

ET

[Vertical Freedom]

:cool: :eek: :eek: :eek: :mad:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110230_zpsb5885a61.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110242_zps6750daad.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110245_zpsfd4b4f7e.jpg

[Fareastdriver]

I wouldn't dare let go of anything to take a photograph if I was at that height.

[Vertical Freedom]

Mate the legs are hanging on & doing the flying for me :E :} :\
luckily not much CAT that day, 30-40knots only ;)

[Hawkeye0001]

You post a lot of wicked pictures and I love every single one of them, but this one had me with my mouth wide open and a stare of outright disbelief by the time I got to the second pic! This is just :sad: - WOW!
How is the machine holding up at that altitude and what GW are we looking at?

[Vertical Freedom]

Mate the B3+ has landed on Sagarmatha 29,211' (albeit highly, highly modified, stripped of many components which are seriously illegal to fly without) :mad::\ (that's cheating) boooo :ooh::=:ugh:
I have pushed her to 28,000'amsl hopefully soon to map Sagarmatha (Everest) to overfly her at 29,500' :bored: hopefully the God's will be shining on Us that day OmOmOm :ok: She was minus second battery, all non essentials, seats etc. out, airframe filter out & minimal fuel, landing with 50litres on gauge :ooh: WoW what a rush :eek::(

Land Happy always :)

VF

[Jet Ranger]

@VF ... EC people said they landed on Sagarmatha with their B3+ in standard configuration :E

JR

[Thone1]

@VF:
Amazing, always stunning.

Be safe and please keep the pictures coming!
You open a window into altitudes and environments that hardly an other helicopter pilot will ever get a glimpse of.

Thomas

[Scumbag O'Riley]

For landing below 19,000' & crossing passes I no longer use. However landing in the 'dead zone' the cannula O2 is always on above 20,000' for landings, prelonged ultra high altitude mapping, filming etc ('dead zone' - Mountaineers term for when above 20,000'+ as the body starts to seriously starve for O2 & vital body functions begin to shut down, on most people, but not all!)

I was in Nepal back in the '80s and never did quite reach 20,000 but I was less than a few hundred feet short. The feeling of slowly dying through oxygen starvation was very real.

I remember when registering my plans at the Kathmandu embassy that no helipcopter rescue was available above around 15,000ft. Below that height, the helicopter would head out but only if USD1000 was paid in advance. The embassy said they would stump up the cash, but my passport would be marked so only valid for a trip home, and I wouldn't get it back until I paid the cash back.

It was possible to live in Kathmandu for USD1 a day, so USD 1000 was a huge sum to a backpacking bum like me.

Though to be honest, if I did fall ill enough at 15000 ft to require a medevac, the chances of a message getting back to Kathmandu before I died was neglibigle. In fact I met a fellow bum on the trail who had just been bitten by a dog, rabid we didn't know. So his escape route was a self imposed five day forced march back to a road where he could get a bus to the Canadian Clinic in KTM for his shots.

Brilliant pictures from a stunning country

[Vertical Freedom]

Goodmorning World

I have been informed by Engineers here at the time that when Eurocopter landed on Sagarmatha the B3 was stripped of the anti-vibration head, the underfloor shaker weights & a few other weight reduction tweeks to reduce empty weight :\ Could she land with HOGE up there at normal weight..............................hmmmm don't believe so :}

Land Happy always :ok:

VF

[toptobottom]

5CpBEzxrm1s

[Vertical Freedom]

AS350 landing on Sagaramatha (Everest) details -

In the video note the following items;
donkey dicks removed from skids, flight steps removed, anti-vibration hat removed from mast. & many more goodies removed, little tweaks & permitted to pull way http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/eek.gif way beyond normal operating parameters for the engine.http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/boohoo.gif there appeared to be HOGE+ power available at all times whilst on the summit 29,211' - amazing??? http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/cool.gifhttp://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/wibble.gifhttp://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/censored.gif

Great job done by Didier http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/thumbs.gif with a little help from an ultra light machine & tons of extra power to boot http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/wink2.gif I'd sure as shid be scared pulling that off http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/icon25.gif

Cheers to happy days :D

VF

[Vertical Freedom]

looking into Tibet & the North face of Sagaramatha & the Western Cwm from 25,500' :p:cool::rolleyes:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110287.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

WoW - Sagarmatha under eery Cirrus clouds :(:O:D
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110305.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

looking at Lhotse summit 27,940' along the Col to Sagarmartha,Tibet beyond, here flying at 28,000 :mad::\:}
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110311.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

da da da dats HIGH :8:ooh::oh: the outer limits of Earth's atmosphere :uhoh::mad::ouch:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110320.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

in the office, chewing the fat :}:\:eek:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110338.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

David Breashears (famous Mountaineer & now also film maker) + VF + AS350B-9NAJI, mapping ops over of upper Sagarmatha (Everest) but not yet over the top, that's for next time, seen here at Tengboche Monastery coffee shop closed for winter ;):p:cool:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110395.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110358.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

approaching the Col between Lhotse & Nuptse, 27,500' indicated on GPS? alt set @ 1013mb - 27,000'pa http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/eek.gif http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/censored.gif http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/thumbs.gif

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110297.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110300.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

at only 28,000' yet there's so much to see & do, jet-streams, CAT (clear air turbulence) updrafts, downdrafts, rotors, wind shear; hmmmmmm :uhoh::hmm::ouch:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110303.jpg

[Jet Ranger]

28.000' :eek::eek::eek: Have you ever been over the top?

Are there any climbers in this period of the year ?


Crasy and fantastic pictures !

JR

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste JR

Yep it is crazy up that high....controls get sloppy & wind/gust eXtreme then put that close to even bigger mountains & Yikes :E

Check post http://www.pprune.org/7676201-post928.html...

Not over the top yet...:O I need to be at 29,500' minimum for that shoot & don't have the power to do that yet without something extra? or last, gotta loose the Film maker David :bored: then lets see :eek:

Climbers in winter, no chance to cold, except for the very rare one off, 1 climbing team every 3-4years :E

Cheers to Life

:ok:

[Gemini Twin]

You seem to be following Tenzing Norgay and Ed Hillarys foot steps.

[Vertical Freedom]

Hi Gemini Twin

hehehe I think Sir Ed & Sir Tenzing did it tough, damn tough :}
My job is easy peasy in comparison & warmer too ;)

Happy days & landings :O

[Vertical Freedom]

GorakShep village viewed from the new HeliPad above the Moran, 17,357' @ -4.7oC Rescue flight 3 x pax +35kg cargo + 95litres GoJuice :ok: :O;)

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110415.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110414.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110413.jpg

[Brilliant Stuff]

Nice Pad!:ok::ok:

[krypton_john]

Yeah that's what I was thinking. I want that guy to come down here and build me a wall!

[Gemini Twin]

VF, I just want to echo what has been stated many times before but your pictures and comments on your operations in the high mountains are nothing short of brilliant.
I just want your boss to buy you a C20R for the Jet Ranger, if any one needs it, it's you!
Best regards, GT

[Arrrj]

VF,

We may have different views about the value of some brands of helicopters. There have been some robust discussions.

However, there is no doubt that you are turning into a great photographer. Amazing photos entertaining a whole bunch of heli people globally. Well done ! :D:D

You should publish a book, I'm serious. "Views from the top of the world".

All the best.

Arrrj

PS - did you work at Rosehill in Sydney a million years ago ?

[nuthin]

Awesome set of photos there VF

Curious what kind of turbulence you can handle there. Is the VSI pegged? + or -? Rotor droop? How much altitude loss or gain?
With the minimal fuel you sometimes carry is there much danger of sucking air?

Were you just sitting at best ROC speed at those altitudes or were you able to fly a little faster?

Are there any issues with working above the RFM ceiling limits with EC? Insurance issues?

[Vertical Freedom]

Grand Morning to All

Thanks for all the positive comments on my pix; always inspiring :ok:

Turbulence, hmmmm rather huge turbulence plus wind shear, is all to common here, You just learn to live with it :E

How much + - on the VSI????? don't really care, it's often hard up against the VSI bump stop on the way down, so much higher ROD than 3,000fpm :ouch:

Rotor-droop in a B3+?? never happened to me :confused:

Yep the best ROC keeps reducing as You climb, above 20,000' it's 30-35knots, above 23,K' it's around 25knots indicated :eek:

For Rescue landings above 20,000' I need to be ultra light, so floor, seats, tools, second battery are all out & then I try to manage fuel so as to land with around 40~50litres & yes the fuel light is on, so then I turn on the fuel pump whenever the light comes on :\ as for sucking air........I believe if You fly in trim there's no risk for that, turbulence though :ooh:

All flights/altitudes/landings are approved by my office & Director of Ops. otherwise I would not do them :=

Cheers to Life :D

[Vertical Freedom]

Hazzze & WoW flying in a days work :ok: :E :sad:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3819.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3785.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Muktinath 12,270' :zzz:;):8
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3786.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3788.jpg

[Kirt Hood]

Hello VF

I think your flying to close to the sun, your tail rotor looks to be melting in your last photo!!!

[Vertical Freedom]

the 'Lads' getting ready for over-snow by horse :cool::p;)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3790.jpg
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3793.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

scenes along the way Muktinath village :} :) :ok:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3812.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3808.jpg
Dream Weaver :D

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3804.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3802.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3805.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3801.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3798.jpg

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3799.jpg
looking towards Thorang La pass 19,500' :8 :ooh: :suspect:

[topendtorque]

Hey VF
Footy is due to kick off over here soon, someone better send you a Maroons jersey or two for the photos.

cheers tet

[Vertical Freedom]

Fabulous day to All.....

We fly High in Nepal, yes, but not so close to the Sun to melt our plastic blades hehehehe :ooh::8:zzz: that will be in the B5 :cool::rolleyes::mad:

Please send team clothing, paraphernalia to FTA address & I will happily wear sponsor gear for a small fee :E:eek::8 10npr per flight hour, 20npr above 10,K' 40npr above 20,K' :uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:

Land Happy always :D

VF

[Savoia]

Fantastico! As always. :ok:

.. the 'Lads' getting ready for over-snow by horse.

Yes, I understand what you mean. However, as a lover of horses (and in their majestic defence ;)) I must argue with this description in that, while the creatures are equally lovable .. they are, I am sure, most likely to be some form of Himalayan pony; perhaps the Spiti or Bhutia - maybe one day you can enquire?

Dare one ask what the wee girl has in her bowl?

All best wishes.

[flyitraftit]

Vertical Freedom....THANKS!! Your thread made my day...used to climb in Alaska...and I love seeing the stunning area you fly in!! Just wanted to echo my thanks alongside all the others....
Blue skies....--)):)

[Peter-RB]

Namaste and Good evening VF...( well it is here in Lancashire)

Good vision tonight we can see all the way to Orion the Plough , not to mention the seven Sisters and the Great Bear,... but your views just keep comming what a place to work, no wonder you always have a smile a mile wide on your face. Thank you also for the pictures of the local Nepalese doing there everyday stuff, they all look so happy and smiling

By the way keep an eye out for any Europeans who are new in your area, you've let the cat out of the bag by showing pictures of Horses, they will all know now of a new supply!

Fly safe and land safer.
Many regards
Peter R-B
Lancashire UK

[sycamore]

V-F,great pictures of life in the mountains,but you must not try to pinch little girls lunch....!!
Years ago when I used to fly Goorkha troops,pilots were known as `punkah-wallah sahibs`...
I`ve been up to 20k in a Gazelle a couple of times for testing,so go carefully....Syc..:D

[Encyclo]

Hi V-F :)

Always great pictures; was almost in your neighborhood last week (Delhi/Chandigarh) visiting some new friends.

Maybe they'll come and play with you one day, with their 429 :8

[Vertical Freedom]

Good morning Rotorheads

Many thanks for the compliments, always happy to receive :D

Hey Savoia; don't know the horse breed, but will ask. In the bowl is 'packet noodle soup rara' it is basically junk food pumped full of MSG :mad:

Hey Encyclo; WoW pick me, pick me, would love a gig driving a big bus like that :ok:

Land Happy always & never lose speed till over the pad :E

VF

[Vertical Freedom]

serious lead lagging :{
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_2381.jpg

[Savoia]

Ah yes, the Australian modification for the B3 tail rotor!

[Vertical Freedom]

Affirm Savioa :ok::O;)

[Encyclo]

I Guess that's why there's an AD on the thing :}

[wdew]

Brilliant photo, depth of field tops . Those hills are huge mountains . Tailrotor makes it interesting. .
keep them coming !! OI Oi Oi

[Peter3127]

That's what happens when you put a Southern Hemisphere Tail Rotor on a Northern Hemisphere ship! :E

[Nf stable]

Ah yes, the Australian modification for the B3 tail rotor!


... but strangely, the flights always come back.

[Vertical Freedom]

'Boomerang flights' always come back ;):p

[krypton_john]

Plus you can defend yourself if attacked by a horde of rabid Koalas.

[Vertical Freedom]

Tengboche Monastery :cool::ooh:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110555.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Tengboche Monastery - 12,598' :ok::D

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110550.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Tengboche Monostery note the wind blowing snow off Sagarmatha (Everest) see above the Rotorhead +200kph :{:eek:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110549.jpg

[Gemini Twin]

VF, these latest pictures made me think of Wildman by Kate Bush.

The schoolmaster of Darjeeling said he saw you by the Tengboche Monastery.
You were playing in the snow. You were banging on the doors. You got up on the roof, Roof of the World.

[VOD80]

Excellent, Gemini Twin. Takes me right back! Oh, and brilliant photos as well, from a lurker!

[Hawkeye0001]

Very beautiful location - must be serenity up there.

Just came across this (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2250676/Mount-Everest-The-incredible-interactive-BILLION-pixel-image-created-David-Breashears.html) and thought you might enjoy it :)

[gcpilot8]

Namaste VF

A lot of people have advised you on this forum to come up with a photo book of your amazing pictures. It would be an excellent book without any doubt!:ok:

Heres a Nepali pilot who has come up with a similar book

The Himalayan Times : Analysing 360 degrees of Everest - Detail News : Nepal News Portal (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Analysing++360+degrees+of+Everest&NewsID=362803)

Trekking season must be picking up now and hope to see some exciting pictures. :)Happy & Safe Landings!:ok:

[Vertical Freedom]

WoW :ok: :eek: :E

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110544.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste Rotorheads

Thank You all kindly for Your positive feedback & compliments. :ok:

A picture book hmmmm lets see, maybe one day but today; far to busy flying :ouch:

Of the interactive footage done by David Breashears; the aerials were flown by me :eek:

Happy Landings always ;)

VF

[Vertical Freedom]

Namche Bazaar, note the wind blowing off Sagarmatha (Everest) :uhoh:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110492.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

VNSB Syangboche airfield, Worlds 3rd highest at 12,500', 2 aerial work horses; B3 & the Mi8 :bored:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110505.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Namche Bazaar with our AS350B2 on the Helipad := :O :E

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110508.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Phakding - Helipad center page :} :\ :bored:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110468.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

VNKL - Kangel airport :{ :p :8

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110452.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Kongde resort 13,708' Winter is over YaY :D :rolleyes: :confused:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110481.jpg

[HowlingMad Murdock]

VerticalFreedom - thanks for posting more of your truly breathtaking pictures :) Awesome!

[Vertical Freedom]

;) :eek: :E
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/IMG_3330_zps54e98e1a.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

climbing for 28,000' to cross the Lhotse - Sagarmatha Col :eek: :} :8
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110250_zpsa6167171.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

another day another Passer less tax :{ :rolleyes: :ouch:

Aerial trukking, depart from VNPL 8,077' with 750kg cargo & 150litres GoJuice fly to VNSB 12,402' (Worlds third highest airport) landing with 100litres on gauge, dump the cargo then fly back to VNPL landing with 70-80litres on gauge :ooh: :ooh: :ooh:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110471.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Pheriche 14,108' snowing, visibility deteriorating fast, training a CoJo R.L. :cool:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110412.jpg

[Heli-Ice]

Hey VF

Is that you Here (http://www.svtplay.se/video/1105612/del-10)?

[Vertical Freedom]

Hey Heli-Ice

Yep it is :rolleyes:

Happy landings

VF

[Peter3127]

I like it at 6:45 where the cinematographers are talking about extreme turbulence cutting to VF flying left handed. ;)

[Heli-Ice]

Darn good job. :ok:

[surely not]

Nothing posted for so long............... hope you are ok Vertical Freedom.

Travelling to Nepal in the next two weeks and fully intend to a) fly into Lukla and b) get a flight around Sagarmatha

I'm not sure I will get any pics that are anywhere near the quality of yours, but they sure have inspired me to make this short trip.

[QDMQDMQDM]

VF, we're in withdrawal. Post some more amazing pics!

[Peter-RB]

Namaste VF

Just watched the Glacier Vid, ....just like all your stills it is breathtaking in what it presents to us sea level dweller's, you could become a Cult with a following of armchair Pilots.

Stay safe

Peter R-B
Lancashire
UK

[Vertical Freedom]

Namaste

All Good here at 'Top of the World' :D....Been a bit busy of late....will post a few pix soon :cool: :ok: :E

Land happy always

VF

VNSB viewed from about 14,500' note the Mi8 unloading cargo :O :D
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110564.jpg
Worlds third highest runway :ok:

[kingrat]

Best job in the world :ok::E

[Gemini Twin]

April and May must be very busy times for you. Isn't this the height (no pun intended) of the climbing season?

Fly safe VF.

[Vertical Freedom]

Hey GT

Yep now is a busy season & again Oct. Nov. Very busy this one? :sad:

Land Smiling :cool:

VF

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110730.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110718.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

Namche Bazaar :8
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110704-1.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110628.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110613.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110608.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110600.jpg

[Vertical Freedom]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h338/rotors99/P1110595.jpg