PERMANENT World Record for Helicopter
 

http://www.eitb24.com/noticia_en.php?id=63008

Helicopter lands on top of Mount Everest

Ok, the record for highest landing and takeoff is now established for all time (on this planet...)

Hey, xoB, are you a rotary-wingnut? What's your take on this?

Mount Everest rises a few mm/year, so the record CAN be broken :-)

I don't see the point. I'd be willing to bet it was specially prepared for that stunt and sort of pales next to other flight accomplishments. :confused:

I thought there wasn't enough air up there for the blades to work ... would be interesting to find out how it was tricked out, and if what they did is sufficiently adaptable to do things like high mountain resuce.

High mountain rescue brings up two problems;
1-The wind around mountains is unpredictable to say the least.
2- High altitude(thin air) means that weight is absolutely crucial.

The Everest stunt could be carefully planned with the weight decreasing as fuel was consumed. Rescue is entirely unpredictable so the safety factor MUST be far greater. Think of the difference between going into space and back(John Glenn) and bringing back Moon rocks. :)

I figured that in order to get all the way up Everest, they would have had to figure out some technology to deal with the wind shear.

In pilot speak, is that shit not called "density altitude?" Working offshore, I've seen assholes cut their weight to be sure they made the flight. Me, I add. Because on a very dry day, they get lift from the deck of heloport. But when you go over the side, hello. Some don't make it.

Actually it's much more predictable and safer at the top. They most likely approached after attaining altitude.
The side of the mountain is a whole different story with the air tumbling and swirling every which way. A tandem rotor is more stable there but not safe. :worried: