LAMA SA 315B, the end of a giant

Until recently it was the king of transportation and rescue in the Alps. With its big bubble cockpit and distinctive melody, it has helped with the provision of mountain huts, building ski lifts and rescuing lots of injured alpinists.
You probably guessed, today’s magazine is about the Lama. Despite its great success, this machine is quickly disappearing from the sky.
And this is the last moment to pay tribute to this legendary machine.
Fasten your seat belt and enjoy the flights !

[@badri149]

Lamas are irreplaceable. Old but gold. Lucky to have flown this wonderful machine.

[@RCCopterLove]

Such a great video! I did not know before how capable this machine was and is! It was a great pleasure to watch this beautiful edited video! To hear the comments of the pilots and mechanics! Thank you!

[@DaversTravels]

Absolutely FANTASTIC video! What a great tribute to such an amazing and iconic piece of aviation history!

[@aileronhelicopters]

23:38 He mentions "Romeo Echo" as the last they have... He means HB-XRE, This machine was sold in 2021 to Essential Flight Ops in Washington USA..!!

[@froderotary]

I have lost count of how many times I have watched this. Sad to see it go

[@dobiedude7479]

I worked on these for a year in the Rockies. Also the Alouette III. Love the sound. A fair amount of routine maintenance. Lots of grease.

[@adlodewijkx7894]

Very nice made video, brings back lots of memories. I used to live in Lauterbrunnen, the Lama of Air Glaciers flew daily through the valley, never forget the sound of these amazing machines and the skills of the pilots flying them. Sad to see the Lama getting retired. Thanks for sharring.

[@Trump145]

It's a beautiful helicopter simple in design and yet powerful

[@lawrencemartin1113]

Fantastic. I have admired these wonderful machines and the men and women who fly them for most of my life. (There was one based at Fairoaks UK, in the late seventies/early eighties where I had some part time work. Tragically, I believe that one was lost with her crew in an accident while being used for filming an action sequence for a feature film somewhere abroad). I love the design and incredible performance they offer and I will be sad to see them go, but all aviation goes through this phase, after all, we no longer use Westland Scouts or Wasps other than for display work and private enthusiasts with very deep pockets. The same will happen to the Gazelle in time. A lovely tribute and I really LOVE that giant RC model....oh boy what fun!

[@RashidBeg66]

Lucky to have flown it. Sad to see it retire, but that's life. A graceful retirement after a most satisfying service to humanity is a moment of pride for all who designed, operated and maintained it.

[@alfrednydegger3177]

Super Film macht Jean.Einfach genial.

[@ernstniebler3083]

Still a very pretty and confidential type of a helicopter. Grace to all people who still own such a legendary Alouette and keep it ready to fly 🙏 ✨️ 🏞 💞 🤗👍

[@abn8726]

Very nice video!!!

[@АлександрАлександр-з6х7е]

Thanks! Very good information!

[@nigelmunson6312]

Wonderful helicopter, I have the hirobo original scale 315 B a from my old friend Dave Since 1974.

[@eddiejefferies3659]

King of the long line.

[@stejac51]

.... in my 45 yr flying career it was a machine I always wanted to fly ... alas I never got a chance to do that .. flew its big brother the Puma 330j ... but never the Lama .... *wistful SIGH

[@alanbstard4]

they could still produce a modern version of it if they wanted to

[@limajuliett3406]

I think HAL was working on a re-engined version, the Cheetal, at some point in the early 00s. But I don't think they ever finished the project. Also they probably wouldn't get the iconic sound... I say put a glass cockpit in the Lama and call it a day. Doesn't need much more than that...

[@alanbstard4]

@@limajuliett3406 Hi, they were certainly great machines. The Turbomeca engine had a brilliant sound

[@muditdikshit]

@@limajuliett3406 Oh they're flying for long years now - doing wonderful work at the highest helipads in the world

[@socatams8936]

What a greate Video mor of the Lama! So sad that it got retierd with Air Glaciers😢

[@yeticlimber2768]

The Lama are a very strongh Helikopter with a lot of Power🚁🤗💪💪🥰❤️

[@scottchase9409]

The Lama is a phenomenal machine. I’m hopeful I can be part of keeping it alive for many years to come.

[@benediktsaurer381]

Do you have one?

[@scottchase6862]

@@benediktsaurer381 sorry for the delay. Yes we will be operating 3 of them this year

[@humbertomonteiro6742]

❤❤ Lamas..

[@chrispbacon851]

Who is the narrator/commentator? Wonderful voice to listen to

[@makilajj]

The narrators are mentionned in the closing titiles. They are good British friends who have been supporting the magazine for years ! They did a great job !

[@jorgealbertomotta6168]

Voei mais mil horas no SA,318C, tenho ótimas lembranças, helicóptero fantástico, não tive oportunidade de voar o Lama. Voei helicópteros mais modernos EC 155, foi meu último, mas tenho um carinho muito especial pelo AlouetteII

[@socatams8936]

What is the name of the song in the begining?

[@angshumanbhattacharjee7317]

Unfortunately Wing Commadar D Vats of Indian Airforce was killed in action during a microlight flight accident.

[@avalanche9026]

They might change but you can’t change best of the best. Like lama like b47. Erepleacable. They do it on purpose extremely expensive and don’t exist any longer…

[@linobrozzu8881]

These helicopters also fly to Italy

[@samiullahdir]

Lama 315 b look lick great smart tail full glass front light weight lama engine has powerfull control wind speed best option increased its..

[@TheFloozi]

Indian army uses them for high altitude ops

[@renzobellenzier8256]

Best elicopter, king krane in the Alps

[@kz4506]

The lama is a work the horse the as350 is not the same machine it can’t out manuver lama , ask Bernard vandoornic he’s the expert pilot, watch him at work,, . there different machines 350 corporate or work , the lama a power machine

[@samundralama7468]

Landing on top of mt everest it's not making sense we have alot of b3s in nepal and they barely make out to camp 3

[@aileronhelicopters]

Yes... The Lama landed on the summit, which is about 40,000 ft. B3's can't for some weight to power ratio factors.