Indians can do that?
Indian Army pilots carry out daring high-altitude rescue at 18,600 feet near Nun Kun in the Himalaya mountains. The crew Pilots evacuated the patient from the steep mountain slope with no space to land in fading light and strong winds. The operation was conducted in the final available light of the day, leaving the crew with little time to complete the rescue (watch the video below). The altitude also posed a major challenge, with thin air reducing the helicopter’s engine performance and lift. To improve the aircraft’s ability to operate at such a high altitude, the crew lightened the plane by removing all non-essential equipment and carried only the fuel needed for the mission. The reduced weight helped maximize the helicopter’s lifting capacity while retaining enough range to reach the casualty and return safely. When the pilots reached the location, they found no suitable area for a conventional landing. Strong mountain winds and the steep slope made the evacuation particularly hazardous.
The crew instead held the helicopter in a low hover and carried out a precise maneuver, keeping the aircraft stable with one skid touching the mountain slope. The patient was quickly secured inside the helicopter before the pilots lifted off and began their descent. The Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army described the operation as a demonstration of the skill, courage and determination of its aviation personnel. In a post on X, the formation said the rescue was carried out during the “last available landing window of the day” and involved a critical one-skid landing on the steep slope.
Rotary winger zingers
A helicopter loses power over a remote Scottish island and makes an emergency landing. Luckily, there’s a cottage nearby, so the pilot knocks on the door. “Is there a mechanic in the area?” he asks the woman who answers.
She thinks for a minute. “No, but we do have a McArdle and a McKay.”
There were 11 people hanging on to a single rope that suspended them from a helicopter trying to bring them to safety. Ten were men; one was a woman. They all decided that one person would have to let go because if they didn’t, the rope would break and all of them would die.
No one could decide who it should be. Finally the woman gave a really touching speech, saying how she would give up her life to save the others, because women were used to giving things up for their husbands and children and giving in to men.
All of the men started clapping.
What do you call a helicopter with no radar and no windows?
A Kamalacopter.
If helicopters are so safe, how come there are no vintage/classic helicopter fly-ins?
August 31st Birthdays
1952 – Hillary Farr, 1870 – Maria Montessori, 1976 – Sara Ramierez, 1977 – Shar Jackson
1949 – Richard Gere, 1971 – Chris Tucker, 1985 – Mohammed bin Salman, 1945 – Itzhak Perlman