The Aerospatiale SA315B Lama is strictly
a "hot and high" aircraft for aerial cinematography.
It still holds the absolute helicopter height record
set back in 1972 at 40,820 ft. Not that one would ever
need or attempt to do a ball or door mount shot at that
extreme altitude, but this fact does illustrate the Lama's
strong point and its value to the aerial cinematographer.
However, the Lama is rarely ever used as a camera ship
anymore with the AS350 AStar and AS355 TwinStar being
capable of performing the necessary duties for aerial
filming in a variety of climates and altitudes. With
it's durable, lightweight exposed airframe, the Lama
is essentially all powerplant and rotor system which
affords more weight to the payload or external stores
being transported.
Lama Specifications
For
general reference only.
The following specifications are for
the AEROSPATIALE SA315B LAMA. They
do not consider the altered weight-and-balance
characteristics or resulting restrictions
on inflight performance with installed
camera mounting systems.
Main
rotor diameter:
36.16
ft
(11.02 m)
Length
overall:
42.41
ft
(12.92 m)
Empty weight:
2,250
lbs
(1,020 kg)
Maximum takeoff weight:
4,300
lbs
(1,950 kg)
Maximum takeoff weight
(w/ external load):
5,070
lbs
(2,300 kg)
Never Exceed Speed-VNE1:
113
kts/130 mph
(209 kmh)
Maximum
cruise speed:
103
kts/118 mph
(192 kmh)
Service ceiling:
17,720
ft
(5,375 m)
Hover ceiling - HIGE2:
16,565
ft
(5,025 m)
Hover Ceiling-
HOGE3:
15,090
ft
(4,577 m)
Standard range:
278
nm
(515 km)
Vertical rate of climb:
1,080
fpm
Powerplant:
1
Turboméca Artouste IIIB turboshaft
Maximum Takeoff Power:
562
shp4
1 VNE-Velocity
Never to Exceed 2 HIGE-Hover In Ground Effect 3 HOGE-Hover Outside Ground Effect 4 SHP-Shaft Horsepower
Important
Considerations
Rare and hard to find, comparatively speaking.
The aerial coordinator should be able to
locate a Lama should the production needs
warrant. But this could be expensive depending
upon where the aircraft is located in relation
to the filming location.
Door mount configuration can limit the
amount of people on board to the aerial cinematographer
or operator and camera ship pilot.
Check with the camera mount vendor regarding
any special requirements or for aircraft
compatiblity with their systems.
