Aerospatiale / Sud-Aviation SA 315B Lama

Light Utility Helicopter

Aerospatiale / Sud-Aviation Lama HB-XDN © Markus Herzig
Photo ©: Markus Herzig (swissheli.com)
The Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama is a single-turboshaft-engine five-seat light utility helicopter for hot and high operations produced by the French manufacturer Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale (SNIAS), today EADS and Eurocopter. The SA 315B Lama was initially developed by Sud-Aviation.
The SA 315B Lama is a development of the Sud-Aviation/Aerospatiale Alouette II with the engine and the rotor system of the Alouette III. The Lama was also license-built by HAL, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited of India as the HAL Cheetah.
Crew1
Passengers4
Propulsion1 Turboshaft Engine
Engine ModelTurbomeca Artouste IIIB
Engine Power410 kW550 shp
Speed193 km/h104 kts
  120 mph
Service Ceiling5.400 m17.715 ft
Range515 km278 NM
320 mi.
Empty Weight995 kg2.194 lbs
max. Takeoff Weight1.850 kg4.079 lbs
Rotor Blades (main/tail)3/3
Main Rotor Diameter11,02 m36 ft 2 in
Tail Rotor Diameter1,91 m6 ft 3 in
Rotor Disc Area95,4 m²1027 ft²
Length (Fuselage)10,26 m33 ft 8 in
Length12,92 m42 ft 5 in
Height3,09 m10 ft 2 in
First Flight17.03.1969
Production Statusout of production
Total Production647
Developed fromAlouette II
ICAO CodeLAMA
Data for (Version)Aerospatiale SE 315B