Vertical Takeoff to Hover
Two-stage pickup
Begin with small forward left torque pedal input and small left cyclic input
Eyes out 50-75 feet (pick a spot)
First stage
Slowly raise collective with left hand until light on skids
Make necessary adjustments to keep nose straight without any lateral or fore/aft movement
Second stage
When stable, deliberately and continuously raise collective and continue to make necessary corrections to maintain position over spot until at a 3-5 foot hover
Hover check
RPMs top of the green
No warning lights or horn
Engine gauges in the green
Fuel Sufficient
Right trim off
Carb heat out of the yellow
Hover at 22”
Hover Taxi
Maintain height above ground with collective
- Lower slowly to come down
- Raise slowly to come up
Use pedals to maintain heading
Use cyclic to maintain left/right position and forward speed
- Slow walking pace
Low Rotor RPM
Low Rotor RPM — RPM below normal operating range
Four primary conditions leading to Low Rotor RPM (GOOP)
Governor failure
Over-gripping throttle
Over-pitching (high, hot, heavy)
- Raising collective and increasing the pitch angle
Partial power failure
Recognize
Reduction in noise level
Shudder/Vibration
Needles drooping
Light & Horn
Recovery
- Simultaneously roll throttle on with left hand roll away (outward) while lowering the collective
- Slight aft cyclic in forward flight (above 55 KIAS)
- When needles at top of green raise collective slowly and manage throttle to return to previous altitude
Governor off
Recover on sound of horn and light on
Governor on
Vortex Ring State
Occurs when helicopter is flying through its own downwash
Conditions
- Less than ETL
- greater than 300 fpm descent rate
- power applied (greater than 20% - not in an auto)
Recognition
- shudder/vibration
- mushy controls
- sink rate
Recovery
- Gently lower collective
- Adjust cyclic for 8-10 degree pitch
down - As airspeed indicates a positive increase slowly raise collective to climb power and return to previous altitude/heading
Setup
- Clearing turn (traffic and winds)
- 15” MP / 60 KIAS
- Heading into wind lower collective to 15”
- Gentle aft cyclic to reduce airspeed to below 20 KIAS (maintain level attitude)
- Maintain heading with pedals
- Announce recognition and recover
Hover Auto
Autorotation from hover altitude
Setup into the wind with 2 ft. hover
Grip throttle from below (fingers up)
Eyes out
- Slowly roll of throttle while simultaneously applying right pedal for yaw
- Slight right forward cyclic to correct for drift (loss of translating tendency)
- Allow helicopter to settle
- Slowly raise collective with left hand to cushion landing
- Neutral controls
Throttle/ Pedal / Settle / Raise
Straight in Approach
Heading into the wind
300’ AGL / 60 KIAS on final approach
When aligned with 10 degree approach angle (roughly middle of compass) lower collective to maintain approach angle (14” MP)
Slow aft cyclic to reduce airspeed (level attitude)
Adjust Collective - rate of descent (angle of approach)
- lower collective if landing spot moves down
- raise collective if landing spot moves up
Adjust Cyclic - rate of closure
- forward cyclic to increase a/s
- aft cyclic to decrease a/s
Complete approach in a stabilized 3-5 ft hover
Steep Approach
Heading into the wind
300’ AGL / 60 KIAS on final approach
When aligned with 10 degree approach angle (roughly middle of compass) reduce airspeed to 45 KIAS until intercepting 15 degree approach angle (roughly bottom of compass / top of yaw string)
Lower collective to maintain angle of approach (rate of descent)
Gentle aft cyclic to reduce airspeed (level attitude)
Adjust Collective - rate of descent
- lower collective if landing spot moves down
- raise collective if landing spot moves up
Adjust Cyclic - rate of closure
- forward cyclic to increase a/s
- aft cyclic to decrease a/s
Complete approach in a stabilized 3-5 ft hover
Shallow Approach
Heading into the wind
200’ AGL / 60 KIAS on final approach
When aligned with 5 degree approach angle (roughly top of compass) lower collective to maintain angle
Gentle aft cyclic to reduce airspeed when rate of closure appears to increase
Adjust Collective - rate of descent
- lower collective if landing spot moves down
- raise collective if landing spot moves up
Adjust Cyclic - rate of closure
- forward cyclic to increase a/s
- aft cyclic to decrease a/s
Complete approach in a stabilized 3-5 ft hover
Running Landing
Used when unable to maintain hover due to IGE limitations (gross weight or partial power).
Continue shallow approach at or slightly above ETL within 3 feet of ground.
Ensure skids are level with slight forward cyclic and aligned with runway (taxiway) and adjust collective to continue approach to ground
Just prior to touchdown raise collective slightly to cushion landing and use cyclic to maintain ground track and pedals to maintain heading.
Slowly lower collective to bring helicopter to a stop and neutralize controls.
Straight-in Autorotation
Autorotation is a procedure used for loss of power or as directed in emergency procedures. Allows helicopter to land safely using updraft through the rotor system.
Pre-landing Checks complete
Enter autorotation on final at 500 feet AGL (KCHD LOA = 1,900 feet) and 75 KIAS
- Ensure MAP below 20”
- Turn governor OFF
Entry
- Full down collective to maintain Rotor RPM
- Gentle aft cyclic to maintain level attitude (eyes on horizon)
- Right pedal to compensate for yaw
- Roll-off throttle slowly towards you to split Engine RPM needles
- Raise collective slightly to maintain Rotor RPM in the green
Glide
Pitch - Level
Trim - coordinated
Airspeed - 60 - 70 KIAS
RPM - in the green (rotor)
Recovery
- At 40 feet begin slight flare to reduce rate of descent and forward airspeed
- As airspeed approaches zero raise collective as necessary
- Roll on throttle
- Gentle forward cyclic
- Manage RPMs in green while continuing approach to 3 ft hover
- Turn governor ON
Rapid Deceleration (Quick Stop)
Purpose is to come to a complete stop at a hover due to runway incursions, ATC direction, unexpected hazard on taxiway/runway
Perform a normal takeoff into the wind
Level off at 25 feet / 45 - 55 KIAS (lower collective slightly to maintain altitude) (KCHD ~1275)
Begin deceleration with simultaneously lowering collective, aft cyclic, and right pedal to reduce airspeed
Coordinate control of collective with aft cyclic to prevent ballooning or settling
Parallel the ground until airspeed is bled off then gentle forward cyclic to level the helicopter
Raise collective as necessary while applying left pedal
Bring helicopter to a stabilized 3-5 ft hover
