Aerospatiale Lama SA.315B

1 aircraft

The Sud Aviation SA.315B Lama, a specialized high-altitude helicopter that revolutionized mountain operations, first flew on March 17, 1969. This single-engine turboshaft helicopter combined the Alouette II airframe with the larger Alouette III rotor system, accommodating one pilot and up to five passengers. The aircraft achieved an unprecedented absolute altitude record of 12,442 meters in 1972 and could hover out of ground effect at 7,000 meters under standard conditions. Manufactured by Sud Aviation and later Aérospatiale, production totaled 447 units between 1969 and 1985.