Is this real? - helicopter landing on Everest Summit

breadmonkey

I thought it wasn't possible for a chopper to fly at that altitude. So is it real or what?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhYG-IgsRJ0&feature=related

BostonB

AFAIK it was. Its not your average chopper. Also the conditions need to be perfect. Theres been a couple of chopper rescues from everest over the years. But its just luck if the weather allows them to do it. Can't carry much weight either.


http://www.eurocopter.com/publications/FO/scripts/newsFO_complet.php?lang=EN&news_id=317

dogmatix

Highly unusual but not impossible. However helicopters are much less capable of generating lift at higher altitudes then fixed wing aircraft. That chopper must be either very light, have very powerful engines or both.

BostonB

In 1996 2 people Makalu Gau, Beck Weathers were airlifted from near Camp II. Colonel Madan K.C., from the Nepal Army Air Force.

In what became the highest helicopter rescue in the history of Mount Everest, Colonel Madan K.C., from the Nepal Army Air Force put his life on the line, landed his helicopter at 19,800 ft. ...

http://classic.mountainzone.com/climbing/misc/gau/index-ie3-part2.html

robinph

It is real, but not sure that it counts as a proper landing as they had to keep the rotors running constantly. If there had been enough space at the top for it to actually put down properly then I don't think it would have been able to take back off again.