Introduction to Helicopters and Mount Everest
Our team often debated over coffee, ‘Can a helicopter fly to the top of Mount Everest? The spectacular Mount Everest, one of the seven wonders of the world and even the ambassador of the seven wonders of Asia, is the highest mountain peak at 8,848.86m (29,031.7 feet) in the Himalayas near the border of Tibet, China, and Nepal.
Having a characteristic sheer size, technological challenges, and intense elevation, it has been the dream of mountaineers and trekkers to experience this intriguing and adventurous art of nature. This seems to be another dream in Wonderland as different pilots who attempted to reach the peak of Everest failed.
Technically, the rugged terrain, glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks, artistic valleys, and dramatic landscape have posed a barrier to adventurers, whether by trekking or by flight.
Judging by observation, the effect of these barriers on trekkers and mountaineers is not of the same magnitude. Trekkers follow mountain routes to get to their desired destination, although their altitude is still limited. Mountaineers access helicopters on Mount Everest to greater altitudes.
So, can a helicopter fly to the top of Mount Everest? Going by our analysis, it seemed to be a no! There cannot be helicopters on Mount Everest! -save for the French pilot who broke a record for getting to the peak of Mount Everest. We’ll talk about him in no time.
Why Is It Difficult for Helicopters to Fly to the Top of Mount Everest?
Researchers have identified multiple factors that contribute to the extreme difficulty of a helicopter reaching the summit of Mount Everest.
Air Pressure / Density Ratio
By physics, as we go higher in altitude, there is usually a drop in air pressure and density. This pressure drop will reduce the capacity of the air to hold things airborne. The regular helicopter, therefore, cannot survive that atmosphere. Even when it floats, landing will have to be a different ball game.
Level of Oxygen
We also consider the level of oxygen. Statistically, there’s a significant drop in oxygen level at high altitudes; a whopping 33% when compared to that at sea level!
Think about it… No human life can survive in that environment.
Weather Instability
The weather at the mountaintop is quite unpredictable.
From frequent snowstorms to hurricane-force winds, and sub-freezing temperatures that fluctuate with no signal or warning, it is dangerous to take the risk, as they can cause a wrecking disaster at any time.
Understanding the unique conditions that allow such feats, one might wonder, ‘Can a helicopter fly to the top of Mount Everest?’ At the top of the mountain, climbers experience a calm season, called the “climbing season”, just for a few weeks in an entire year.
This is usually the time tourists book tours to the mountain. There is still no guarantee of the stability of this record. Over the years, there have been scenarios where tourists will have to cancel because the forecast changed suddenly and nobody is ready for a refund.
Undulating Terrain for Landing.
We explained from the beginning how the rugged terrain at the top of the mountain poses a barrier to trekkers. For landing, this also affects the helicopters, too. The reason is that helicopters require lots of flat land before they can land. Do you see why this is already a failed mission from the start?
The Historic Flight: Didier Delsalle’s Landing on Mount Everest
The French pilot, Didier Delsalle, was the only person who did the impossible when he landed on the helicopter summit of Everest.
It has always been his dream, but the opportunity didn’t seem to suffice. After serving two years as a fighter pilot in the French Air Force, Delsalle became a helicopter pilot.
It was the new version of Turbomecco Arriel 2, also known as the Eurocopter AS350 version of 2024, that gave life to that dream, as he was the pilot chosen to test-run it. This new version outdid the old Turbomecco Arriel 2, for it was more powerful and was befitting for the mission.
I’m sure you are already asking what actually made the new version of the Euro copter best for that mission.
The principle Didier Delsalle applied was simple but profound. A Lighter-weight helicopter. He had to even remove the passenger’s seat and any other unnecessary baggage, reducing the weight of the helicopter by 120kg. Delsalle, on his part, paid some price too. Reports haven’t experienced it yet.
Can Helicopter Fly to the Top of Mount Everest Under Normal Conditions?
This intriguing question often arises in discussions about aviation challenges: ‘Can a helicopter fly to the top of Mount Everest? Over the years, there have been track records of different pilots who attempted the same quest but failed.
Ordinarily, helicopters will have a hard time climbing such a high altitude. A lot of factors handle that limitation.
The first one we’ll discuss is the weight of the metallic object. For any object to float in air, it is supposed to displace an equivalent density of air. Unfortunately, the air at such an altitude is largely limited. It’s not even enough to sustain a human being, not to mention a big object like a helicopter, which requires a lot of air pressure to remain afloat.
Second, a helicopter requires enough mass of land (around 10m) before it can land. And we have talked about the difficult terrain, common with the Everest summit. Flat land does not exist here. Imagine how hard it’s going to be, trying to land. Even Delsalle could stay for only 2 minutes, 30 seconds. It’s almost a failed mission.
Helicopters Tours and Everest Base Camp
As the Everest summit seems to be far-fetched for mountaineers and trekkers, the accessible place that currently recorded the highest landing is a spot somewhere below Kalapathar at a height of over 5500m; the Everest base camp. It comprises the south base camp in Nepal, which has an altitude of 5,364m, and then the north base camp in Tibet at an altitude of 5550m.
A helicopter tour guide enables tourists to enjoy the luxury of the aesthetic Khumbu everest region, the snow-capped Himalayas, glaciers, and the Sherpa settlement. It makes a spectacular view watching this natural edifice from the top, which has attracted thousands of tourists all over the world.
A helicopter trip to the Everest base camp has always been a welcome idea. The Everest helicopter cost, which varies depending on the brand, enables users to create an unforgettable experience as they embark on the one-day journey to the sky.
They also get to view the surrounding spectacular beauties, ranging from the Himalayas to the Khambu region, which transcends to giving a spectacular view that makes this Everest base camp helicopter tour worth every time or resource spent on it,
Everest Helicopter Rescues: High Altitude Challenges
The question often arises among aviators and mountaineers alike, ‘Can a helicopter fly to the top of Mount Everest? As mountaineers, climbers, and trekkers continue to visit the mountain on different expeditions, there is a need for Everest helicopter rescue in cases of accident or injury. This can only happen at the Nepal side of the Everest base camp as it provides a space for a helicopter landing. China, for some personal reasons, does not permit flying helicopters at the mountain.
Another limitation is in the altitude’s height it can attain. The average helicopter can only transcend to a level as high as 6400.
Because of the weather instability, there may be instances of fog that the weather forecast might not detect, which can impair the pilot’s vision. Here, flying a helicopter might be very dangerous.
In the past, the army and navy alone carried out these tasks. Chhetri, Madan Khatri of Porkhara Nepal, acquired the highest helicopter rescue on Everest in 1996. But now, there are private company rescuers that are also involved.
Global rescue and Nepal helicopter service are typical examples. This alone has opened up more opportunities for effectively managing emergencies.
Technological and Environmental Factors Preventing Helicopter Landings on the Summit
Why can’t a helicopter fly to Everest? The structure of helicopters allows them to spin a lot of air pressure through the rotor, which is positioned above and below the helicopter. The force generated by this wind speed propels the helicopter upwards towards the sky.
Another factor that plays here is the air density. Air density provides the resistance necessary for the rotor blade to function while afloat.
Unfortunately, as we go higher in the sky (higher altitude), the air density drops. As a result, the rotor blade can no longer perform its role of keeping the helicopter airborne.
Even the cold temperature experienced at higher altitudes also contributes to this malfunction. The rotor blades, made of metals, have their flexibility restricted by low temperatures. It equally affects the battery life and even freezes the fuel which invariably will affect their efficiency.
Finally, the low temperature with altitude equally affects the level of oxygen. Some regions, especially at the summit of Everest, earn the nickname “death zones” because of the extremely low oxygen level (as low as 34%). This poses a major risk for human cells as they die gradually, which might cause serious health conditions like hypoxia in the long run.
The overall performance of the helicopter engines is not exempt from the effects. The low oxygen can largely affect their overall performance.
The Future of Helicopter Technology on Everest
Sophisticated Helicopters:
With the advancement in technology, can a helicopter fly to the top of Mount Everest? A lot of helicopters are now making attempts at the mountain summit.
There’s a recent report of a Sherpa team that has reached a height of 7900m.
In the past, people primarily used helicopters for rescue missions in the mountains.
Nowadays, people also use helicopters to airlift equipment required to repair the route at the summit.
Even the new policy that favors carrying all kinds of equipment to the camps results from the efficiency of modern helicopters summit Everest. This policy was in response to the delay in opening the Khumbu icefall route, which is also longer and more risky.
Mingma Sherpa, CEO of Seven Summit Trek, confirmed that they intend to start a Summit push early this year when they presume the weather at the summit will be calm. Mingma Sherpa, CEO of Seven Summit Trek, confirmed in a quote that the Summit Push in the coming season will only be successful with the use of helicopters.
This will in no way impede human activities in the mountain as Khumbu authorities preempted, rather it will increase the overall safety of workers who are often slowed down by the heavy loads in their backpacks.
Use of Cargo Drones
They also included cargo drones in the list of technologies that can comfortably soar to the Summit of Everest.
Da Jiang Innovation, DJI, was the first person to fly a drone to the Everest mountain for a delivery from one camp to another. It partnered with the Nepalese drone service company, video production company 8KRAW, and finally the Nepalese-certified mountain guide, Mingma Gyalje Sherpa.
The drone carried a 15kg supply and three oxygen bottles up to a height ranging from 5300 to 6000 above sea level. Upon returning, it carried trash that was cleared from the camp for disposal.
According to reports, the DJIFlyCart30 drone can carry a load of up to 15kg and fly up to 28km in altitude.
Local Sherpa guides carried trash delivery before now, out. Not only are they time-consuming, but they also pose a lot of risk to the lives of these people because of the harsh weather at the summit of Everest.
Introducing drone technology is going to ease a lot of stress from many shoulders, scaling the achievement of these tasks and providing a much more sophisticated system for mountain expeditions.
Conclusion
A flight to the spectacular Mount Everest is the dream of every mountain enthusiast. Both mountaineers, trekkers, and flight fighters will cherish the memory of going to experience this wonderful work of nature.
Many enthusiasts often ponder, ‘Can a helicopter fly to the top of Mount Everest?‘ Some factors have presented a barrier to the achievement of flying a helicopter to the top of Mount Everest.
The unfavorable weather conditions which include air pressure/density ratio, level of oxygen, weather instability, and different technical limitations of the helicopter are different reasons this might never become a reality or even if, a huge disaster.
Nevertheless, there’s the base camp tour that has been a beam of light to our lost hope. It has a much fairer weather condition, possesses an aesthetic landscape, is quite conducive for helicopter landing, and even has an attractive view of the Everest summit which are good signs for tourism and mountain expeditions. All you need to do is choose the Everest helicopter tour cost that suits your budget.
Let’s hear all about your Helicopter trip to Everest base camp.
