Etalin Helipad

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Started on 10Mar, 2014 and reached Rowing via Dibrugarh Airport, Brahmaputra River. Next day morning, started for Etalin and after reaching, met Project Manager, Mr Gupta.
On 12 and 13, I along with a team of 12 persons, visited 5 proposed sites and anther 2 sites discovered by the local team to ascertain suitability of helipads for MI-17 and MI-26 for inducting earth movers, dozers etc for creating hydro-electric projects. Mr Manoj and Siddharth, who accompanied me from Delhi, were big help for entire operation.
Earlier, while going from Rowing to Etalin, I also assessed helipads where the above mentioned tools may be positioned for airlift to the site!
Helipads for Positioning Equipment.

Rowing.
2808.776N 9550.368E, Elevation 383 m, Dimensions 100m by 150m.
Approach/Take Off- North/South.
3 MI-17s can be positioned at echelons while 1 can operate from centre.
MI-26 operation not feasible due tin top roofs adjacent to helipad, which may fly off during operations.
KM-72 Army Convoy Ground
2818.249N 0955.311E, Elevation 1908m
Approach/Take off- NE and without obstruction, Dimensions- 80m by 300m
Hills in South approx. 1.5 km.
MI-26 can operate from here with underslung or internal load with 8-10 tons.
Hunli
2819.464N 09558.065E, Elevation 1282m, Dimensions 80m by 80m.
Approach, Take Off- E/W restricted
Fit for MI-17 operations.
Anini
2847.831N 9553.96E, Elevation 1654m, Dimension 80m by 30m concrete.(Constructed in 1962 or earlier as displaced on board).
Approach/Take Off with no restriction along valley.
Maintained by state government and saw 60 barrels of fuel positioned there.
Underslung operation by MI-26 can be undertaken from here with 8-10 tons.
Passighat
28041959N 9520338E
Aerial distance of Passighat from Etalin is ...

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... load, it may plan to uplift fuel from Anini for return back which will be 10-12 mins only.
9. All above operations, except Dibrugarh, flying time of one round, for example 72 Km to S2/A3/V helipad and back, will be less than 50 mins so fuel requirement will be approx. 1:30 hrs. per sortie.
10. All proposed sites or helipads are hard and adjacent stony/grassy are long enough to provide sufficient ground for cushioning the landing and take-off for, IGE operations are ensured. Under slung operations should be avoided as going round may be difficult in valleys.
11. Trial landing/familiarisation sorties is suggested before actual operations.
12. Fuel consumption of MI-26 at 3000’ will be close to 2.5 to 3 tons per hour.

The entire visit was a success and wish helicopter operation goes through. Helipads, if constructed, will be useful for future operations at dam site.

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