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It varies with the type and design.

The answer is complicated because of the large variety of helicopters in the world.
The BELL 206 light helicopter was limited in a hover to around 8000 ft. If it tried to hover above this altitude, the tail rotor would basically stall out.

Also, a helicopter (and an airplane) flies more efficiently close to the ground, which is referred to as "ground effect". For an airplane, the height above the ground is about 1/2 the wing span for it to receive additional lift effect due to in ground effect. A helicopter would be about the same: 1/2 the rotor diameter. So, a helicopter might be able to hover 10 feet above the surface of an 8000 ft mountain.

Mount Everest
On May 14th, 2005, an Ecureuil/AStar AS 350 B3 helicopter operated by Eurocopter was reported to have landed on Mount Everest (29,035 feet). The landing is in dispute. The listed service ceiling of the rotorcraft is between 17 and 18 thousand feet, which is considerably short of the summit altitude.

An unmanned high altitude helicopter is nearing completion. TGR Helicorp in New Zeland has designed the "Alpine Wasp" specifically for rescue evolutions on Everest. The machine's diesel engine will give it an operating ceiling in excess of 30,000 feet.

The CH-47 Chinook twin rotor helicopter is used by the USAF to rescue climbers on Mount Denali (McKinley) in AK. It can reach an altitude in excess of 19000 to land at an elevation of around 18000. The biggest problem at that point is restarting the engines, so a special storage device directs pure oxygen into the engine inlet to restart.
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Q: What is the maximum altitude that a helicopter can achieve?
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What is the angle for maxium altitude?

A baseball, cannonball, or other projectile launched at a 45° angle above the horizon will achieve maximum horizontal range. A projectile launched straight up will achieve maximum altitude, but you kind of have to watch it and be careful when it returns.


Can a helicopter reach a plane's altitude?

A helicopter cannot reach a plane's altitude because it does not have much lift. No, the air is to thin high up for a helicopter to sustain flight.


Why is there a maximum altitude for aircraft?

After the maximum altitude is reached the preesure is so much that the pilot cant go farther. If he goes more than the maximum altitude he will lose consiousness.


What should be the maximum RPM of helicopter rotor?

That depends on type of helicopter


Why causes a helicopter to lose altitude?

there can be any number of reasons for that.


Why helicopter speed reduce as increase altitude?

Because as you increase altitude, the density of air decreases. To compensate for the decreased air density the rotor blades need a greater angle of attack, pushing the retreating blade closer to stall(reducing the maximum airspeed)


Why does a helicopter lose altitude when flying over a water surface?

A helicopter needs a solid surface to fly over.


What would be data for collecting data in a helicopter experiment?

The helicopter's altitude, distance traveled, speed/rate of travel, etc.


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To compensate for the decreased air density the rotor blades need a greater angle of attack, pushing the retreating blade closer to stall(reducing the maximum airspeed)


How does a helicopter achieve thrust?

by tilting the rotor


What is the maximum speed of a CH-53D helicopter?

Their maximum speed is listed as 315 km/h.


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