Thursday
February 1, 2007
Rescue on Everest Challenge
Once again Kiwi ingenuity will conquer the world s highest mountain
Adventurer Peter Hillary and double amputee Mark Inglis lend their
support for the Everest Rescue Trust and www.rescueoneverest.org
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND ( by Angerie van Wyk ) -
Today, the Everest Rescue Trust
launched the Rescue on Everest Challenge to design, build and operate
a self-funding rescue helicopter service for the extreme altitude
regions of Nepal. This humanitarian project aims to save lives on Everest
and improve the safety and emergency services in Nepal, while directly
benefiting the Nepalese people.
The Everest Rescue Trust has also launched rescueoneverest.org; an
official website with information, regular updates and the history of the
project. It will contain real-time news and information and will be made
available to a global audience. This site also hosts an interactive,
distance learning schools programme, which will further stimulate
interest in the project and allow children the world over to learn about
Nepal, Everest and the Nepalese people.
Most helicopters are not designed to operate above a ceiling of about
14,000ft (4,300m), it's just too dangerous. Everest Base Camp is at
nearly 18,000ft (5364m) and the summit is another 11,500ft (3,486m) above
that so having a rescue helicopter that could get that high safely will
make a huge difference.
"Through innovation, design and cutting edge technology we re going to
challenge the science of aviation at extreme altitude and conquer new
frontiers on Mt Everest and in Nepal," says Trevor Rogers, President of
TGR Helicorp Ltd, the New Zealand company building the helicopter for
the Trust. "We hope that the success of this project will increase the
Trust's capability to help other people all over the world. The
potential for pushing the boundaries of long range, high altitude rescue is
unlimited, it could change the course of modern alpine aviation history."
After six years research, development and building of Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles (UAVs) TGR Helicorp has designed and developed an unpiloted
full-size alpine rescue helicopter; the Alpine Wasp, which will be able to
operate safely and autonomously at altitudes up to and beyond 30,000ft
(over 9000m).
The company will be donating the Alpine Wasp to the Everest Rescue
Trust after it has undergone testing and systems evaluation in the harsh
mountain environment of the Mt Cook region of New Zealand during 2007. It
will be capable of airlifting up to two sick or injured climbers at a
time from extreme altitude, using ultra-modern composite technologies, a
revolutionary diesel helicopter engine and rotor blades designed
especially for maximum performance in thin air. The Alpine Wasp represents a
huge leap forward in helicopter performance and technological
capability.
TGR Helicorp intends to establish an alpine rescue base at Namche
Bazar, a village sitting at 11,300ft (3,440m) on the approach to Mt Everest
in Nepal. This base will include an aircraft hangar and rescue
facilities, a prosthetics facility for the Porters and Sherpas in Nepal, and a
frostbite prevention facility, providing clothing and footwear. The
base will provide jobs for the local Nepalese people and all donations
will be funnelled back into the community.
"I'm excited to be a part of a project that will benefit the Nepalese
people in so many ways," said Mark Inglis, Goodwill Ambassador for the
Everest Rescue Trust. "It's terrible to see porters and Sherpas without
the proper equipment in the high mountains and as well as helping the
locals who have already lost limbs to frostbite, the Trust is planning
to equip them properly too, free of charge. I think that's great."
For additional information please contact Angerie van Wyk or visit
www.rescueoneverest.org
About TGR Helicorp Ltd:
TGR Helicorp is the only helicopter manufacturer in the Southern
Hemisphere and specialises in full size Rotorcraft UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).
President and Chairman: Trevor V. Rogers
Chief Executive Officer: Glenda Rogers
Contact:
Angerie van Wyk
Marketing and Communications Manager
Everest Rescue Trust
+64 9 273 6307
+64 21 140 8398
[email protected]
http://www.rescueoneverest.org
Related news:
news: India Air Force Rescues Mountaineers In Bhutan-UNI Oct 30, 1999