What is the maximum altitude that a helicopter can achieve?

Answer

The answer is complicated because of the large variety of helicopters in the world.

The BELL 206 light helicopter was limited at altitude in a hover at something like 8000 ft. If it tried to hover at this altitude, the tail rotor would basically stall out.

Also, a helicopter (and an airplane) flys more efficiently close to the ground, which is referred to as "in ground effect". For an airplane, the height above the ground is about 1/2 the wing span for it to receive additional lift effect due to in ground effect. A helicopter would be about the same: 1/2 the rotor diamter. So, a helicopter may not be able to hover or fly at 8000 Ft Altitude BUT it may be able to hover 10 feet above the ground on an 8000 ft mountain.

I will search the internet for Performance Specifications of some actual helicopters.

note: helicopters doesnt have ground effect - ground effect for an airplane is caused by redirecting airflow over the wing - normally an airplane wing back edge is pointing slightly down causing the airflow over the wing to be directed down slightly towards the ground - this causes the lift to be be not striaght up but tilted to the back decreasing total lift slightly - when near the ground that downward directed air is forced almost straight back so the airplanes lift is almost straight up thus increasing lift slightly and thus the ground effect - since a helicopters airflow is not effected this way it has no ground effect

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The main rotor blades of a helicopter are simply rotating wings. Therefore, the lift of a helicopter does improve when in "ground effect" and less power is required for hover or for forward flight.

Custermen

Additional answer

On May 14th, 2005, an Ecureuil/AStar AS 350 B3 helicopter operated by Eurocopter was reported to have landed on Mount Everest (29,035 feet). The landing is in dispute. The listed service ceiling of the rotorcraft is between 17 and 18 thousand feet, which is a considerable measure short of the summit altitude.

An unmanned high altitude helicopter is nearing completion. TGR Helicorp in New Zeland has designed the "Alpine Wasp" specifically for rescue evolutions on Everest. The machine's diesel engine will give it an operating ceiling in excess of 30,000 feet.

Links are provided.

First answer by Custermen. Last edit by Quirkyquantummechanic. Contributor trust: 729 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 25 [recommend question]