Helicopter lands on top of Mt. Everest
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The French weekly "Air & Cosmos" reports that 150kg was saved by removing the radio and "cabin comforts", but that it was otherwise a standard machine.
Regarding the ethical side, way too much is being made of the "sacred mountain" aspect. Everest has been exploited for decades and in exchange for expedition fees has been turned into a trash heap of old oxygen bottles, climbing equipment and corpses. A pair of skid marks on the summit pales into insignificance.
Bravo Eurocopter!
Regarding the ethical side, way too much is being made of the "sacred mountain" aspect. Everest has been exploited for decades and in exchange for expedition fees has been turned into a trash heap of old oxygen bottles, climbing equipment and corpses. A pair of skid marks on the summit pales into insignificance.
Bravo Eurocopter!
There is a reward for Sherpa's who fetch down the mountain O2 bottles.....seems there are about 200 corpses scattered about the place....almost as bad as Iraq on market day.
Gatvol
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"I hope mountaineers see this as a very postive thing for they´r sport since now perhaps it will be possible to rescue people from the mountain instead of leaving hurt or sick people for dead, since they´r fellow climbers are to weak to do anything except get themself to safety."
Aesir
Whoa...hold on a minute. I think this is way off base. Im betting that if the guy added a snowball from the top he would have been overgross. Movements etc were probably done very gently versus hanging, one skid in the snow and dumping three hundred pounds of idiot climber in the side door.
Dont give these rich "explorers" any reason to go out and kill more than they have already, just so they can be in National Geographic in a couple hundred years when they are found.
Aesir
Whoa...hold on a minute. I think this is way off base. Im betting that if the guy added a snowball from the top he would have been overgross. Movements etc were probably done very gently versus hanging, one skid in the snow and dumping three hundred pounds of idiot climber in the side door.
Dont give these rich "explorers" any reason to go out and kill more than they have already, just so they can be in National Geographic in a couple hundred years when they are found.
B Sousa
We´ll I obviously didn´t mean that a standard B3 could be used for rescue of the top of Mt Everest.
But this could be a lead towards developing a helicopter that could rescue people off high altitude places.
Only a few day´s ago nobody thought it was even possible to land helicopters on Mt Everest and now suddenly its been proven that it can be done.. We´ll then rescuing someone from these altitudes is probably not so impossible either, is it?
These "Rich" mountaineers will continue climbing mountains, rescue helicopter or not!
Just because some people can afford to use money to climb mountains or sail the sea´s or go to vacation in Thailand does not mean they should not be rescued if at all possible, if they need it.
We´ll I obviously didn´t mean that a standard B3 could be used for rescue of the top of Mt Everest.
But this could be a lead towards developing a helicopter that could rescue people off high altitude places.
Only a few day´s ago nobody thought it was even possible to land helicopters on Mt Everest and now suddenly its been proven that it can be done.. We´ll then rescuing someone from these altitudes is probably not so impossible either, is it?
These "Rich" mountaineers will continue climbing mountains, rescue helicopter or not!
Just because some people can afford to use money to climb mountains or sail the sea´s or go to vacation in Thailand does not mean they should not be rescued if at all possible, if they need it.
Last edited by Aesir; 29th May 2005 at 19:53.
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Extract from Eurocopter Press Release
On May 14th, 2005 at 7h08 (local time), a serial Ecureuil/AStar AS 350 B3 piloted by the Eurocopter X-test pilot Didier Delsalle, landed at 8,850 meters (29,035ft) on the top of the Mount Everest (Kingdom of Nepal).
This tremendous achievement breaks the World Record for the highest altitude landing and take-off ever, which sets an ultimate milestone in the History of Aviation.
After taking off from its base camp Lukla on May 14th, 2005 at 2,866 meters (9,403ft) Didier Delsalle onboard his Ecureuil AS350B3 reached the top of Mount Everest.
As required by the FAI (International Aeronautical Federation), the aircraft remained landed on ground more than 2 minutes on the top of the world before flying back to Lukla.
This feat was renewed the day after.
Stepping out of his helicopter, Didier Delsalle commented:
"To reach this mythical summit definitively seemed to be a dream; despite the obvious difficulties of the target to be reached, the aircraft demonstrated its capability to cope with the situation, sublimated by the magic of the place.
Achieved with a serial helicopter, this absolute World Record once more contributes to underline the unique qualities of the Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B3 as a multipurpose, reliable, quick and comfortable helicopter which emerges as the most performing aircraft in the world in the most extreme conditions.
During the trial period, Didier Delsalle and his Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B3 flew some rescue missions on behalf of the Nepalese authorities demonstrating the operational capabilities of the aircraft used to set the altitude landing and take-off World Record.
This feat has been achieved further to various flight tests begun one year ago with the Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B3 among which:
-- Experimental flight up to 8,992 meters (29,500 ft) in April 2004 in Istres (France)
--Time to climb records to the heights of 3,000, 6,000 and 9,000 meters performed on April 14th, 2005 in respectively 2 minutes 21 seconds, 5 minutes 6 seconds and 9 minutes 26 seconds. These records smash the previous ones held by an Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B1 with respectively 2 minutes 59 seconds, 6 minutes 55 seconds and 13 minutes 52 seconds,
--Experimental flight up to 10.211 meters (33.500 ft) on April 14, 2005,
--Landing at the South Pass of Mount Everest at 7,925 meters (26,000 ft) on May 12th, 2005, establishing a new altitude landing and take-off record, previously held by a Cheetah helicopter - variant of the Lama - at 7,670 meters (25,150 ft).
Eurocopter
On May 14th, 2005 at 7h08 (local time), a serial Ecureuil/AStar AS 350 B3 piloted by the Eurocopter X-test pilot Didier Delsalle, landed at 8,850 meters (29,035ft) on the top of the Mount Everest (Kingdom of Nepal).
This tremendous achievement breaks the World Record for the highest altitude landing and take-off ever, which sets an ultimate milestone in the History of Aviation.
After taking off from its base camp Lukla on May 14th, 2005 at 2,866 meters (9,403ft) Didier Delsalle onboard his Ecureuil AS350B3 reached the top of Mount Everest.
As required by the FAI (International Aeronautical Federation), the aircraft remained landed on ground more than 2 minutes on the top of the world before flying back to Lukla.
This feat was renewed the day after.
Stepping out of his helicopter, Didier Delsalle commented:
"To reach this mythical summit definitively seemed to be a dream; despite the obvious difficulties of the target to be reached, the aircraft demonstrated its capability to cope with the situation, sublimated by the magic of the place.
Achieved with a serial helicopter, this absolute World Record once more contributes to underline the unique qualities of the Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B3 as a multipurpose, reliable, quick and comfortable helicopter which emerges as the most performing aircraft in the world in the most extreme conditions.
During the trial period, Didier Delsalle and his Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B3 flew some rescue missions on behalf of the Nepalese authorities demonstrating the operational capabilities of the aircraft used to set the altitude landing and take-off World Record.
This feat has been achieved further to various flight tests begun one year ago with the Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B3 among which:
-- Experimental flight up to 8,992 meters (29,500 ft) in April 2004 in Istres (France)
--Time to climb records to the heights of 3,000, 6,000 and 9,000 meters performed on April 14th, 2005 in respectively 2 minutes 21 seconds, 5 minutes 6 seconds and 9 minutes 26 seconds. These records smash the previous ones held by an Ecureuil/AStar AS350 B1 with respectively 2 minutes 59 seconds, 6 minutes 55 seconds and 13 minutes 52 seconds,
--Experimental flight up to 10.211 meters (33.500 ft) on April 14, 2005,
--Landing at the South Pass of Mount Everest at 7,925 meters (26,000 ft) on May 12th, 2005, establishing a new altitude landing and take-off record, previously held by a Cheetah helicopter - variant of the Lama - at 7,670 meters (25,150 ft).
Bell Helicopters....Where are you???
Calling Bell Helicopters....Calling Bell Helicopters!
Hello Bell....anyone there?
Bell?
Hello Bell....anyone there?
Bell?
hehe.. SASless you´re not to happy about the French beiing first to the top..
Well I fly a Bell 212 out of a place that´s often called "Top of the world " which is Thule Air Base and I would not want anything but a Bell to work in every day here in these arctic conditions where we fly scheduled passenger & freight transport to remote villages and settlements.
There is one thing to make world records and there is another thing to build a workhorse.
Even though the AS350 is a pretty good helicopter it´s still a baby compared to the old workhorses out there that have gotten the job done day after day for 40 years.
Still one can not stop progress, there is always going to be something newer, faster and more powerful around the corner
Edited to add reply to "overpitched's" post below!
Well I fly a Bell 212 out of a place that´s often called "Top of the world " which is Thule Air Base and I would not want anything but a Bell to work in every day here in these arctic conditions where we fly scheduled passenger & freight transport to remote villages and settlements.
There is one thing to make world records and there is another thing to build a workhorse.
Even though the AS350 is a pretty good helicopter it´s still a baby compared to the old workhorses out there that have gotten the job done day after day for 40 years.
Still one can not stop progress, there is always going to be something newer, faster and more powerful around the corner
Edited to add reply to "overpitched's" post below!
Last edited by Aesir; 1st Jun 2005 at 16:09.
Aesir,
I love the 212 as you do....more so I love the venerable old Huey....but in the Public Relations market....the French are killing Bell. That is the point of my post......one look at the 429 Mockup at the HAI and then seeing how the Eurocopter folks do things....and one can understand why Bell is playing second fiddle in the market.
I love the 212 as you do....more so I love the venerable old Huey....but in the Public Relations market....the French are killing Bell. That is the point of my post......one look at the 429 Mockup at the HAI and then seeing how the Eurocopter folks do things....and one can understand why Bell is playing second fiddle in the market.
Gatvol
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"These "Rich" mountaineers will continue climbing mountains, rescue helicopter or not!"
So correct Aesir, but in the states its the Taxpayer who foots the bill for these "Rich" mountaineers. Not high on my priority list. Having met some in Alaska who preform these missions and risk their necks, Im not sure we shouldnt let the climbers make progress with the glaciers.... They come out at the bottom eventually.
As to the record, all well and good, but what is the normal working enviornment for a Helicopter. Normally in mountainous terrain Im sure the average will be about 6000-8000'.. Yes many work higher, but they are not the norm..
So then we ask, what will a Manufacturer target as his market. I dont think its going to be Mt Everest.
Yes, Eurocopter has shown us what a B3 can do, Im still betting that a rescue at that or near that altitude would make that Helicopter into a sled......
So correct Aesir, but in the states its the Taxpayer who foots the bill for these "Rich" mountaineers. Not high on my priority list. Having met some in Alaska who preform these missions and risk their necks, Im not sure we shouldnt let the climbers make progress with the glaciers.... They come out at the bottom eventually.
As to the record, all well and good, but what is the normal working enviornment for a Helicopter. Normally in mountainous terrain Im sure the average will be about 6000-8000'.. Yes many work higher, but they are not the norm..
So then we ask, what will a Manufacturer target as his market. I dont think its going to be Mt Everest.
Yes, Eurocopter has shown us what a B3 can do, Im still betting that a rescue at that or near that altitude would make that Helicopter into a sled......
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Landing on Mt Everest is as equally useful as climbing Mt Everest. Edmund's and Tenzeg's accomplishment didn't immediately contribute anything to humankind, scientific advancement, international relations, etc. That wasn't even their reason. I'm sure they realized fame would have resulted, but in the end they climbed Everest "because it was there".
Lets quit rationalizing the accomplishment, minimizing the complexity, and arguing that Everest is somehow a sacred piece of land. Lets just be honest with ourselves and recognize that landing a helicopter up there is very difficult and hadn't been done before.
Only one can be first to do it. I'm a little jealous I couldn't be that one.
Well done to all involved!
Matthew Parsons
Lets quit rationalizing the accomplishment, minimizing the complexity, and arguing that Everest is somehow a sacred piece of land. Lets just be honest with ourselves and recognize that landing a helicopter up there is very difficult and hadn't been done before.
Only one can be first to do it. I'm a little jealous I couldn't be that one.
Well done to all involved!
Matthew Parsons
It makes all these other 'sad' "world record" endeavours seem pathetic doesn't it:
round the world via the poles
solo to the pole
fastest around world
etc etc.
Taking all the technicalities into account, it must have required an enormous amount of meticulous planning with little or no room for error. This is truly exploring the outer limits of the flight envelope (possibly even beyond - dare I say it), to the extreme.
A fantastic feat - one to perhaps match the 1972 world altitude record.
round the world via the poles
solo to the pole
fastest around world
etc etc.
Taking all the technicalities into account, it must have required an enormous amount of meticulous planning with little or no room for error. This is truly exploring the outer limits of the flight envelope (possibly even beyond - dare I say it), to the extreme.
A fantastic feat - one to perhaps match the 1972 world altitude record.
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Edmund's and Tenzeg's accomplishment didn't immediately contribute anything to humankind, scientific advancement, international relations, etc. That wasn't even their reason. I'm sure they realized fame would have resulted, but in the end they climbed Everest "because it was there".
Not a bad effort but would it be as difficult as the poor buggers lurching around the Papua New Guinea highlands 30 odd years ago in bloody old Bell 47's above 10000' in isa+15 ?
Mad they were ...bloody mad.....
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I undwerstand that there has been another heli crash at base camp this week (only half the height of the summit).
For anybody who wants to know about the hard way up Everest, I suggest reading John Krakauer's book 'Into thin air'
For anybody who wants to know about the hard way up Everest, I suggest reading John Krakauer's book 'Into thin air'
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Or did they...?
Interesting...
Nepal government rejects Eurocopter record claim
BBC Monitoring South Asia - text of report by Nepalese state-owned newspaper Gorkhapatra on 3 June
Kathmandu, 2 June: Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has said the claims made by Eurocopter that it landed on the summit of Mt Everest is a figment of imagination and misleading. The ministry in a statement issued today [2 June] rejected the claim.
The French Company Eurocopter in a press conference organized in Paris had claimed that Equirel [as transliterated] A-Star AS 350 B, third series helicopter had landed on the summit of Mt Everest on 14 May.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) in a press statement said its attention had been seriously drawn towards the report. CAAN had earlier barred Eurocopter from carrying out any further flights in the area citing violation of the conditions of an agreement during test flights.
The helicopter was ordered to return to Kathmandu following the breach of agreement. Following the return of the helicopter, CAAN formed an investigating team, which has already completed its report.
During the investigation helicopter pilot Capatain Didier Delsale [as transliterated] had given a written statement saying it was impossible to land on the summit of Mt Everest because of the terrain. The CAAN says the written statement of the pilot proves that the helicopter had not landed on the summit.
Nepal government rejects Eurocopter record claim
BBC Monitoring South Asia - text of report by Nepalese state-owned newspaper Gorkhapatra on 3 June
Kathmandu, 2 June: Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has said the claims made by Eurocopter that it landed on the summit of Mt Everest is a figment of imagination and misleading. The ministry in a statement issued today [2 June] rejected the claim.
The French Company Eurocopter in a press conference organized in Paris had claimed that Equirel [as transliterated] A-Star AS 350 B, third series helicopter had landed on the summit of Mt Everest on 14 May.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) in a press statement said its attention had been seriously drawn towards the report. CAAN had earlier barred Eurocopter from carrying out any further flights in the area citing violation of the conditions of an agreement during test flights.
The helicopter was ordered to return to Kathmandu following the breach of agreement. Following the return of the helicopter, CAAN formed an investigating team, which has already completed its report.
During the investigation helicopter pilot Capatain Didier Delsale [as transliterated] had given a written statement saying it was impossible to land on the summit of Mt Everest because of the terrain. The CAAN says the written statement of the pilot proves that the helicopter had not landed on the summit.
Well now....we have a video....anyone crank up a stopwatch and time the touchdown? May we assume since there were no higher mountains in sight....it was Everest? Did the French violate some agreement and thus nullify the FAI sanction as a result? Wonder if some palm remains dry and rough to the touch?
Does this mean Bell has a chance to beat out the French by doing the same feat but with everyone's blessing?
Ah, this is getting interesting!
Hello Bell, is this Bell Helicopters Textron, Bell Helicopter ? Hello....Hello?
Does this mean Bell has a chance to beat out the French by doing the same feat but with everyone's blessing?
Ah, this is getting interesting!
Hello Bell, is this Bell Helicopters Textron, Bell Helicopter ? Hello....Hello?