Video of a SA-315B Lama working at high altitude.
The Lama’s full bubble type cabin enclosure and high altitude performance capabilities combine to make this an ideal helicopter for precise mountain operations, such as slinging cargo to remote areas, geological survey missions, mining, and wilderness EMT operations. The SA-315B derivative still holds the absolute altitude record for all types of helicopters since 1972: 12,442 m. At the extreme altitude the engine flamed out and the helicopter had to be (safely) landed via another record breaker — the longest-ever autorotation in history. The helicopter had been stripped of all unnecessary equipment prior to the flight to minimize its weight and the pilot was breathing supplemental oxygen.
The Lama is powered by a Turbomeca Artouste III B1 (870 HP) turbine engine with a 4 kW, 28.5 volt DC starter-generator, supported by a 40 amp hour battery.
Cabin Configuration:
| Passenger transport | 1 pilot + 4 passengers |
| Casualty evacuation | 1 pilot + 2 stretcher patients + 1 medical attendant |
| Cargo sling capacity | 2,500 lbs. (greater than aircraft empty weight) |
Specifications:
The following performance figures are based on the mean values obtained with a new engine. Unless otherwise stated, they are given for clean aircraft, in zero wind at sea level and with standard atmospheric conditions. Use for reference only, not for actual flight calculations.
| Specification | Unit | Ac/Wt | Ac/Wt | External |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (standard aircraft 2,277 lbs.) | lb | 3,310 | 4,300 | 5,070* |
| Cruising speed | kts | 103 | 103 | 65 |
| Fuel consumption at cruising speed | U.S. gal./nm | 0.56 | 0.56 | 0.56 |
| Rate of climb, oblique flight | ft/min | 1,545 | 1,083 | 768 |
| Range | nm | 278 | 278 | – |
| Endurance | hr | 3.6 | 3.3 | – |
| Hovering ceiling I.G.E. ISA | ft | 22,960 | 16,565 | 9,678 |
| Hovering ceiling I.G.E. ISA + 20 degrees | ft | 22,145 | 14,435 | 7,545 |
| Hovering ceiling O.G.E. ISA | ft | 22,960 | 15,100 | 5,085 |
| Hovering ceiling O.G.E. ISA + 20 degrees | ft | 20,500 | 12,795 | 2,625 |
| Service Ceiling | ft | 22,960 | 17,720 | 9,843 |
(* For the carrying of loads on the cargo-sling exclusively)
Click Here to view SA-315B Lama For Sale that the owner will finance for a prospective operator.