First helicopter landing on Mt Everest

It would be interesting to know what the conditions were, after all gliders
have been over 49,000'

Mike
MU-2
Leaving for Everest 4/1/06

"Peter Duniho" wrote in message
...
"Chris Colohan" wrote in message
.. .
Did it land, or didn't it? Apparently there is some controversy:

Well, while acknowledging that there's certainly a question as to whether
the summit of Everest is even landable terrain, and as to whether the
helicopter did in fact support 100% of its weight on that terrain, it
seems to me that it's not being questioned as to whether the helicopter
actually made it to the summit, and that in fact is the real
accomplishment.

Put "landing" in quotes if you like. It's still pretty impressive.

Trouble is now climbers are going to expect a rescue capability that
practically doesn't exist in most summit weather.

It may not be possible to operate with two people aboard

Mike
MU-2

"nrp" wrote in message
oups.com...
Trouble is now climbers are going to expect a rescue capability that
practically doesn't exist in most summit weather.

"Mike Rapoport" wrote in message
k.net...
It would be interesting to know what the conditions were, after all
gliders have been over 49,000'

That's true. A wave could have gotten the helicopter above the summit, at
which point it could have simply glided there. However, I think it's
noteworthy that it did remain at the summit (whether it landed or hovered)
for a couple of minutes.

Besides, folks who pilot gliders over 49,000' are noteworthy too. That's
hardly a "walk in the park" accomplishment, even with good mountain wave
around!

Pete

I was thinking more about ridge lift. I know that ridge lift has been used
to fly 152s over Mt Kilimanjaro 19,000+'

Mike
MU-2



"Peter Duniho" wrote in message
...
"Mike Rapoport" wrote in message
k.net...
It would be interesting to know what the conditions were, after all
gliders have been over 49,000'

That's true. A wave could have gotten the helicopter above the summit, at
which point it could have simply glided there. However, I think it's
noteworthy that it did remain at the summit (whether it landed or hovered)
for a couple of minutes.

Besides, folks who pilot gliders over 49,000' are noteworthy too. That's
hardly a "walk in the park" accomplishment, even with good mountain wave
around!

Pete