Quote:
Originally Posted by speeder
Not embarrassing at all, the Navy helicopter could not either. Only the Blackhawk helicopter could get above her. Did you note the altitude?
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Interesting tidbit...the China Lake SAR folks were in, I think, either an Navy HH-60 or CH-60S, both of which have a ceiling of 10,000ft DA:
Density Altitude (DA) = Pressure Altitude (PA) + [120 * (Outside Air Temperature (OAT) - Standard Temperature (ISA))]. Density altitude represents the altitude at which the air density is equivalent to that at a standard atmosphere, and it's a crucial factor in aircraft performance.
The reason is that Navy 60's have fuel pumps external to the gas tanks is due to shipboard requirements. At 10K DA, the pumps "cavitate", which is an issue. Notice at midnight, much lower temps, they were able to get to 10,000ft MSL (mean sea level) and drop two folks.
Army 60's have their fuel pumps internal to the tanks and have a much higher DA ceiling than the Navy birds.
If I went into anymore detail I will hear foreheads hitting keyboards as I sit
Great stuff.