Author Topic: This airport exceeds my capabilities (Read 704 times)

Viking · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2008, 02:09:40 AM »

Of course flying at high altitude in mountainous terrain demands respect. However considering the Twin-Otter has about twice the service ceiling of your H500 it has a lot more reserve power at 9000 feet than your heli. Considering the DHC-6 has a landing speed of 80 knots at sea level, at 9000 feet it would still be less than the normal landing speed of jet airliners at sea level.

I have a feeling Lukla is a good-weather only airport.

CyranoAH · « **Reply #16 on:** January 03, 2008, 03:30:45 AM »

The Tecnams P92 and P96 are constantly landing at altiports in the Alps, and we are talking 100 HP engine light airplanes, not much power to spare.

These runways require a different approach, with a decision point where you have to commit to the landing, as there is no second chance for a go-around.

Daniel

cpxxx · « **Reply #17 on:** January 03, 2008, 06:11:29 AM »

How on earth could you get that high on 100hp? I used to fly Rallye 100s on 100hp. With three up you could barely get above 2500 feet:eek:

The shortest field I ever landed in was 416 metres (1364feet) in a Cessna 172. No real margin for error but at least it's not at 9000 feet!

Golfer · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2008, 12:34:42 PM »

Viking could do it "no sweat."

Guess that makes us lesser beings especially with his vast experience with mountain flying proving his exceptional knowledge on the subject...

Sometimes even I think I'm funny

Gixer · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2008, 02:38:58 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Viking
Of course flying at high altitude in mountainous terrain demands respect. However considering the Twin-Otter has about twice the service ceiling of your H500 it has a lot more reserve power at 9000 feet than your heli. Considering the DHC-6 has a landing speed of 80 knots at sea level, at 9000 feet it would still be less than the normal landing speed of jet airliners at sea level.

I have a feeling Lukla is a good-weather only airport.

I wasn't comparing the power reserves of a H500 to the Twin-Otter... It's all relevant even the mighty Otter isn't going to have the same performance at 9,000ft the pilot taking off at sea level is going to have to make considerable calculations to allow for the higher altitude landing then if he was landing at another field at or near sea level.

Even a Harrier Jump Jet is going to suffer operating at higher altitudes for example Afghanistan. Then it would operating from a ship.

I can't remember the maths calculation (and can't be bothered to google it)but for every 1,000ft there is a performance degredation for any aircraft/helicopter. Same as for every deg increase in temp or increase in moisture content in the air. Get a very hot/humid day and you have double the problems.

It's just basic met and aircraft tech papers, even PPL theory covers it.

~~...-Gixer~~