On 14 May 2005, Airbus Helicopters landed their H125 helicopter on the summit of Mount Everest. At an altitude of 8,850 metres above sea level, Airbus holds the world record for the highest take off and landing – a record that has not been broken.
The weather conditions did not deter test pilot Didier Delsalle, from achieving this remarkable aviation feat. With temperatures plummeting to -33°C and wind speeds reaching 93 km/h, he executed a precise landing by wedging one skid into the snow-covered ridge. Although the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale required a minimum of two minutes of landing time for record validation, Delsalle remained on the summit for 3 minutes and 50 seconds.
The following day, he repeated the landing to confirm the aircraft's performance under similar conditions. This second landing lasted approximately four minutes.
Delsalle's achievement with the Airbus H125, previously the Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil, or Squirrel, demonstrated unparalleled capabilities at extreme altitudes, significantly influencing helicopter operations in high-altitude regions like Nepal. The H125, became the most popular civil helicopter in Nepal, widely used for rescue missions and transportation in the Himalayas.
The Airbus H125 was developed to comply with low noise requirements of wildlife preservation areas, such as national parks. The in-cabin noise levels are also low enough for passengers to converse during flight. Other interesting facts of the H125 is that it can quickly be started up and shut down – a characteristic suitable for emergency medical services and short stopover tourist experiences. The Airbus H125 is also equipped with hydraulically-assisted flight controls, that remain operational in the unlikely scenario of a hydraulic failure.
Cape Town Helicopters is proud to have the Airbus H125 helicopter as part of our modern and dynamic fleet, flying from our heli-pad at the V&A Waterfront, covering a multitude of operations; flying along the pristine coastline, to extraordinary wine estates and secret tourist destinations in the Western Cape. Another reason we are Best in Class.
