What Is The Maximum Height a Helicopter Can Attain?
Helicopters are a unique form of aircraft, capable of performing maneuvers not possible for many fixed-wing aircraft like hovering, vertical take-off and landing, and much more. With their special abilities, helicopters find use in applications ranging from aerial transportation in dense cities to carrying out military operations. While helicopters equipped with turbine engines can fly upwards of 25,000 feet in the atmosphere, they are more limited when they are hovering. Regardless, both height limitations fall below those of many commercial aircraft, begging the question of why they cannot attain such heights. In this blog, we will seek to answer this question, allowing you to better understand the engineering and aerodynamics of such rotary-wing aircraft.
For most helicopter pilots, operations will remain at altitudes between 8,500 and 12,000 feet, which is the optimal range to maintain an ideal environment for flying. As aircraft ascend higher into the atmosphere, air pressure and density will gradually decrease. This results in less lift that the rotor blades can produce, eventually reaching a point where optimal lift is unattainable. As such, the general consensus among pilots is that 10,000 feet and under is the safest altitude range to operate as the rotor blades will be able to create enough lift and forward speed. If the limit is surpassed, the aircraft would begin to become more unstable and less maneuverable.
As stated before, air will gradually become thinner the higher a helicopter flies, leading to less effective rotors. The first signs that a helicopter has surpassed its maximum operating range is the onset of extreme turbulence, that of which is marked by shaking or rattling of the airframe. The helicopter will then quickly become unstable, often tipping upward before rolling toward the left. Furthermore, the blades will start stalling as the vehicle loses power.
While all of the aforementioned risks are certainly dangerous, they are not the only possible issues that may occur when traveling too high. For example, high altitudes often come with lower temperature conditions, and traveling too high above sea level can lead to the formation of ice around the helicopter’s rotor discs. This will cause a lower amount of airflow to be supplied to the engines, causing a reduction in overall performance. If enough ice is to form and engine power plummets, the entire helicopter can quickly become unbalanced before falling toward earth.
Despite helicopters generally having the operational height limitation of 10,000 feet, there have been documented instances where helicopters have surpassed such altitudes. For example, test helicopter pilot Didier Delsalle made history in 2005 as the first pilot to take a helicopter to the summit of Mount Everest, which sits at a height of 29,000 feet. Additionally, French aviator Jean Boullet holds the record of flying a helicopter at 40,820 feet. Despite these achievements, it is still not recommended that pilots attempt these feats, as such flights require the use of specific aircraft, test flights, and general risk.
Here at NSN Purchasing, we offer all of the various helicopter parts that you may require to ensure safe and optimal operations every time. Explore our various part and manufacturer catalogs at your leisure, and you may utilize our online RFQ service to quickly and easily request quotes for your comparisons. With our dedication to quality control and export compliance, we proudly conduct business with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accreditation. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our offerings or services, make sure to give us a call or email at your earliest convenience, and we would be more than happy to assist you however we can!
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