New IAF world record
New IAF world record
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING), GOVERNMENT OF INDA
IAF CHEETAH SETS WORLD RECORD
New Delhi: 02 November 2004
An IAF Cheetal Helicopter set a new world record at 0845 hrs today on 02 Nov 04 by landing at a Density Altitude of 25,150 ft at Saserkangri near Leh. Earlier, a Bell 407 helicopter held the world record in landing at the highest altitude, 22,180 ft, Pressure Altitude (24,971 ft Density Altitude) achieved on Jul 28, 2004. This morning at 0845 hrs, a Cheetal helicopter, bettered this record in style. Flown by Gp Capt AS Butola and Sqn Ldr S Sharma, the helicopter landed at Saserkangri at an altitude of 23,220 ft (7070 mts) Pressure Altitude (25,150 ft / 7670 mts Density Altitude). The feat was witnessed and validated by Wg Cdr Upadhayay (Retd), Chief Test Pilot, Rotary Wing, HAL and Wg Cdr Uni Pillay (Retd), flying in an IAF Dhruv helicopter. The motivation behind this attempt was the fact that a Cheetah helicopter of the IAF had landed at a record density altitude of 23, 240 ft just a few months ago – not in the quest of a record, but to rescue causalities from a mountaineering expedition, in extremely challenging conditions. This rescue was accomplished in a Cheetah helicopter powered by the old Artouste-3C, of 847 Horse power. The Cheetal features a Cheetah airframe and the more powerful TM-333-2B2, 1000 Hp Engine, which is fitted on the Advanced Light Helicopter. The combination of a light airframe and a more powerful engine has resulted in a leaner and more capable machine, permitting a higher payload – a critical requirement when operating at the extreme altitudes of the glacier where every gram matters matter. The IAF has been associated in putting this machine through its trials and is all set to procure them for operational service in the IAF. The synergy between the IAF and the Indian Aviation Industry has churned out this winner.
IAF CHEETAH SETS WORLD RECORD
New Delhi: 02 November 2004
An IAF Cheetal Helicopter set a new world record at 0845 hrs today on 02 Nov 04 by landing at a Density Altitude of 25,150 ft at Saserkangri near Leh. Earlier, a Bell 407 helicopter held the world record in landing at the highest altitude, 22,180 ft, Pressure Altitude (24,971 ft Density Altitude) achieved on Jul 28, 2004. This morning at 0845 hrs, a Cheetal helicopter, bettered this record in style. Flown by Gp Capt AS Butola and Sqn Ldr S Sharma, the helicopter landed at Saserkangri at an altitude of 23,220 ft (7070 mts) Pressure Altitude (25,150 ft / 7670 mts Density Altitude). The feat was witnessed and validated by Wg Cdr Upadhayay (Retd), Chief Test Pilot, Rotary Wing, HAL and Wg Cdr Uni Pillay (Retd), flying in an IAF Dhruv helicopter. The motivation behind this attempt was the fact that a Cheetah helicopter of the IAF had landed at a record density altitude of 23, 240 ft just a few months ago – not in the quest of a record, but to rescue causalities from a mountaineering expedition, in extremely challenging conditions. This rescue was accomplished in a Cheetah helicopter powered by the old Artouste-3C, of 847 Horse power. The Cheetal features a Cheetah airframe and the more powerful TM-333-2B2, 1000 Hp Engine, which is fitted on the Advanced Light Helicopter. The combination of a light airframe and a more powerful engine has resulted in a leaner and more capable machine, permitting a higher payload – a critical requirement when operating at the extreme altitudes of the glacier where every gram matters matter. The IAF has been associated in putting this machine through its trials and is all set to procure them for operational service in the IAF. The synergy between the IAF and the Indian Aviation Industry has churned out this winner.
1. It may have been observing from a lower altitude.JTull wrote:If the Dhruv was there all along with the observer team, why doesn't it get the record? That would have been something for the domestic industry!!
2. the Dhruv must have been orbiting or moving around the site. Landing and take off requires more power reserves than flying around.
No. I can bet my Rupiya that Dhruv was flying at a higher altitude. Choppers get additional lift when it is has forward speed (for the same reason as fixed wing plane). Hovering altitude is always lower because of limited lift (not to mention lift loss due to circulation). That is the reason Mi-17 is used for supplied drop in Siachen, but only Cheetha can land on the forward post.JTull wrote:If the Dhruv was there all along with the observer team, why doesn't it get the record? That would have been something for the domestic industry!!
Jagan: Lift is a function of Density, that is indirectly related to air pressure but is also dependent on temprature(we all know the Gas Law, thus can understand that pressure vr density is constant for given temprature, but for given pressure, lower volume is inversly proportional to temp). Thus same pressure but at different temprature will result in different lift.
BTW these days in Leh the temp is really low.
Last edited by Arun_S on 02 Nov 2004 20:08, edited 1 time in total.
Altitude is measured by measuring the ambient pressure. For this to work a standard model for the atmosphere is needed which gives the variation of pressure with altitude.Jagan wrote:Anyone please explain this pressure altitude vs normal altitude thingy?
A pressure altitude is the altitude derived from the stndard atmosphere model, given the measured ambient pressure. Similarly for density altitude.
Note that atmosphere is dynamic and on a given time and place it can vary significantly from the standard atmosphere. Therefore the pressure/density altitudes can be quite different from the actual altitude.
BTW if you notice the BR AF section for 114HU, Gp Capt AS Butola was AF 114HU's Commnading Officer from 1999 to 2001.
114HU just finished celebrating the event with a party. Co-pilot Sqn Ldr S Sharma is from 114HU based in Leh. The landing site was pre-survayed by current CO of 114HU. And I guess the record may be broken again soon because the engine has enough gas to land ~1000 ft higher.
As for the altitude, Pressure altitude is measured by the barometer-altimeter, that is then corrected for temprature to arrive at Density Altitude. All Aircraft parmaters/correction factors are based on Density Altitude.
114HU just finished celebrating the event with a party. Co-pilot Sqn Ldr S Sharma is from 114HU based in Leh. The landing site was pre-survayed by current CO of 114HU. And I guess the record may be broken again soon because the engine has enough gas to land ~1000 ft higher.
As for the altitude, Pressure altitude is measured by the barometer-altimeter, that is then corrected for temprature to arrive at Density Altitude. All Aircraft parmaters/correction factors are based on Density Altitude.
That reminds me .... back in 93, a case came to light where an article in a French magazine lauded the heroic rescue of the author, a mountaineer, and his fried, who had broken his spine during a fall while mountaineering in India. They were marooned on a narrow ledge but managed to get an SOS out on their HF set. A Cheetah from Bareilly responded, when the weather was really bad. There was just enough place to hover with one ski on the ledge, in gusty and white-out conditions - but they got the casualties on board and got them to Bareilly. On being summonned by the CAS and asked why they hadnt reported such a feat (after the IAF AA in France reported the article, more than a year later) the Captain confessed that as they were operating well below minima, they didnt want to be rapped on the knuckles for it and so wisely kept their mouths shut! However, the grateful mountaineer subsequently recounted the entire incident in a French magazine. The IAF was magnanimous enough to give the duo a VM, I think, or a Shaurya Chakra.shiv wrote:Well done IAF and Cheetal.
Ved sir: ******************
The mountaineers were British climbers. I saw the pictures taken by the mountaineers during rescue and they are hair rising to say the least; One Cheetah ski on the ledge and other in the air, the whirling rotor just a foot away from the solid mountain cliff.
I can't but resist telling the fauji story though: IAF HQ magnanimously awarded a Vayu Sena Medal only to the Squadron Leader who was senior in rank but was co-pilot and not the Flt Lt who was the Captain of the aircraft in that daring mission. Later to avoid embarrassment Air HQ awarded VM to both the pilots.
The mountaineers were British climbers. I saw the pictures taken by the mountaineers during rescue and they are hair rising to say the least; One Cheetah ski on the ledge and other in the air, the whirling rotor just a foot away from the solid mountain cliff.
I can't but resist telling the fauji story though: IAF HQ magnanimously awarded a Vayu Sena Medal only to the Squadron Leader who was senior in rank but was co-pilot and not the Flt Lt who was the Captain of the aircraft in that daring mission. Later to avoid embarrassment Air HQ awarded VM to both the pilots.
Last edited by Arun_S on 07 Dec 2004 07:08, edited 1 time in total.
Talking of Leh, I flew in on IAF IL76, and got the privilages to sit next to flight navigator on the plexi glass nose cone of the plane, what grand view flying over the mountain.
Those pix in full resolution are 5 M pixle. Lots of good photos from Ladakh. will write another article on Ladakh and visit to Penangso Lake facing Chinese post (on Indian land) some day with those pix.
Those pix in full resolution are 5 M pixle. Lots of good photos from Ladakh. will write another article on Ladakh and visit to Penangso Lake facing Chinese post (on Indian land) some day with those pix.
Last edited by Arun_S on 07 Dec 2004 07:11, edited 1 time in total.
Both the IL-76 and An-32 fly to thois and leh airbase daily from Chandigardh. My ticket was a bit lower 900 rupees as i was on dependent pass. Penangso lake is beautiful and if you want any pictures to go with your article i would be glad to contribute. I have spent quite a substantial period of time in that area.
Abhi
Abhi
Arum the next time we meet you can be sure I will have you kidnapped and thrown in a 400% dark dungeon until you cough up photos. Don't even imagine for one second that we are going to wait for some Leh article from you. That can come later.Arun_S wrote:Ved sir: Let me refresh your memory ****
The mountaineers were British climbers. I saw the pictures taken by the mountaineers during rescue and they are hair rising to say the least; One Cheetah ski on the ledge and other in the air, the whirling rotor just a foot away from the solid mountain cliff.
I can't but resist telling the fauji story though: IAF HQ magnanimously awarded a Vayu Sena Medal only to the Squadron Leader who was senior in rank but was co-pilot and not the Flt Lt who was the Captain of the aircraft in that daring mission. Later to avoid embarrassment Air HQ awarded VM to both the pilots.
No 5 megapixel excuses in these broadband times. Even Mumbaikars from the heart of yindooland are not shying away from putting up megabyte videos.
I want pics.. I want pics.. I want pics.. I want pics..
Arun_S wrote:Ved sir: Let me refresh your memory ****
The mountaineers were British climbers. I saw the pictures taken by the mountaineers during rescue and they are hair rising to say the least; One Cheetah ski on the ledge and other in the air, the whirling rotor just a foot away from the solid mountain cliff.
I can't but resist telling the fauji story though: IAF HQ magnanimously awarded a Vayu Sena Medal only to the Squadron Leader who was senior in rank but was co-pilot and not the Flt Lt who was the Captain of the aircraft in that daring mission. Later to avoid embarrassment Air HQ awarded VM to both the pilots.
Hey,what do you mean old boy? Don't treat us like that!!!shiv wrote: Arum the next time we meet you can be sure I will have you kidnapped and thrown in a 400% dark dungeon until you cough up photos. Don't even imagine for one second that we are going to wait for some Leh article from you. That can come later.
No 5 megapixel excuses in these broadband times. Even Mumbaikars from the heart of yindooland are not shying away from putting up megabyte videos.
Arun-Man,your next assignment has just been handed over to you
Re: New IAF world record
WOOHOO GO INDIA!! IMO, this is no small feat & is one hell of an accomplishment. I hope that the pilots get all the credit that they desserve. Congratulations to them & I hope that they pop in here sometime.Vishnu Som wrote:PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING), GOVERNMENT OF INDA
IAF CHEETAH SETS WORLD RECORD
New Delhi: 02 November 2004
An IAF Cheetal Helicopter set a new world record at 0845 hrs today on 02 Nov 04 by landing at a Density Altitude of 25,150 ft at Saserkangri near Leh. Earlier, a Bell 407 helicopter held the world record in landing at the highest altitude, 22,180 ft, Pressure Altitude (24,971 ft Density Altitude) achieved on Jul 28, 2004. This morning at 0845 hrs, a Cheetal helicopter, bettered this record in style. Flown by Gp Capt AS Butola and Sqn Ldr S Sharma, the helicopter landed at Saserkangri at an altitude of 23,220 ft (7070 mts) Pressure Altitude (25,150 ft / 7670 mts Density Altitude). The feat was witnessed and validated by Wg Cdr Upadhayay (Retd), Chief Test Pilot, Rotary Wing, HAL and Wg Cdr Uni Pillay (Retd), flying in an IAF Dhruv helicopter. The motivation behind this attempt was the fact that a Cheetah helicopter of the IAF had landed at a record density altitude of 23, 240 ft just a few months ago – not in the quest of a record, but to rescue causalities from a mountaineering expedition, in extremely challenging conditions. This rescue was accomplished in a Cheetah helicopter powered by the old Artouste-3C, of 847 Horse power. The Cheetal features a Cheetah airframe and the more powerful TM-333-2B2, 1000 Hp Engine, which is fitted on the Advanced Light Helicopter. The combination of a light airframe and a more powerful engine has resulted in a leaner and more capable machine, permitting a higher payload – a critical requirement when operating at the extreme altitudes of the glacier where every gram matters matter. The IAF has cbeen associated in putting this machine through its trials and is all set to procure them for operational service in the IAF. The synergy between the IAF and the Indian Aviation Industry has churned out this winner.
Looks like I have to pushover Siachen into mountaines of Baltistan to hide from corcive demands of BRF jingo's.
Some pics have photo's of serving personell that makes it difficult to put on web, and some pics are so beautiful that I can make $10^6 selling them. Personal time is the problem. However I will try soon to watermark and make an album.
Some pics have photo's of serving personell that makes it difficult to put on web, and some pics are so beautiful that I can make $10^6 selling them. Personal time is the problem. However I will try soon to watermark and make an album.
Manne: Thanks. I will take the offer when I get a breather.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/200 ... 491700.htm
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/200 ... 491700.htm
About the achievements of the Indian Air Force, he said that the IAF has recently broken the world record of high-altitude flying by landing a `Cheetal' helicopter, which is basically a `Cheetah' chopper with a new engine, at 25,000 feet in the Laddakh region.
Buoyed by the success, the IAF has proposed to convert its `Siachen Pioneers' squadron of Cheetah helicopters to Cheetal choppers and placed an order with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for 12 new aircraft.
Three cheers
Three cheers to the IAF on their latest achievement.
Regards,
Saurabh S.Lele
Regards,
Saurabh S.Lele
The Dhruv did break a record too!
http://www.hal-india.com/cheetal.asp
http://www.hal-india.com/cheetal.asp
While the Cheetal was executing its epoch making landing – one Indian Air Force Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) ‘Dhruv’(J 4041) set another record by flying at a density altitude of 27,000 feet or 8230 metres above mean sea level in the same region ! The mission was flown by HAL’s Chief Test Pilot Wg.Cdr.C.D Upadhyay – a retired veteran of IAF and a winner of Vir Chakra. He was accompanied by his co-pilot – another test pilot Wg.Cdr.Unni Pillai. This is the highest altitude ever attained by an intermediate class helicopter. Its a rare tribute to Indian endeavour made possible by the rich contribution of HAL designers, engineers, technicians and Indian Air Force pilots who have carried out these missions with total dedication. An excellent team effort to touch the sky with glory !!
JTull wrote:If the Dhruv was there all along with the observer team, why doesn't it get the record? That would have been something for the domestic industry!!