Aérospatiale Sa-315b Lama

Single Rotorcraft

The Aérospatiale SA-315B Lama holds the distinction of being purpose-built for high-altitude operations in the Himalayas, combining the airframe of the Alouette II with the more powerful Artouste IIIB turboshaft engine and the dynamic components of the Alouette III. First flown in 1969, the Lama was developed specifically for the Indian Armed Forces to operate in extreme mountain environments, and it immediately proved its capability by setting an absolute helicopter altitude record of 40,820 feet in 1972—a record that stood for decades. The type's name comes from the Tibetan pack animal, reflecting its role as a workhorse in thin air where most helicopters struggle. What makes the Lama genuinely exceptional is its hot-and-high performance envelope. With a single 870-shaft-horsepower Turbomeca Artouste IIIB engine driving a three-blade main rotor, the helicopter can hover out of ground effect at altitudes exceeding 15,000 feet and operate from unprepared mountain landing zones where fixed-wing aircraft cannot venture. Its maximum takeoff weight of 5,070 pounds and relatively light empty weight give it a useful load capability that remains viable even in the rarefied air of high-altitude rescue and utility missions. The Lama's VNE of 120 knots reflects its focus on vertical performance and maneuverability rather than speed, and its simple, rugged design has made it a favorite for operators working in challenging terrain from the Alps to the Andes to the Rockies. The type was later produced under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India as the Cheetah, and Aérospatiale's successor Eurocopter continued production of an upgraded variant known as the Écureuil/AStar family. Original SA-315B Lamas remain in service worldwide with operators specializing in mountain flying, external load work, and high-altitude tourism. The helicopter's enduring reputation rests on its ability to operate reliably in conditions that ground nearly every other rotorcraft—a testament to focused engineering for a specific, demanding mission profile. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.