Helicopter Flying Handbook

This Handbook is designed as a technical manual for applicants who are preparing for their private, commercial, or flight instructor pilot certificates with a helicopter class rating. Certificated flight instructors may find this handbook a valuable training aid, since detailed coverage of aerodynamics, flight controls, systems, performance, flight maneuvers, emergencies, and aeronautical decision-making is included. Topics such as weather, navigation, radio navigation and communications, use of flight information publications, and regulations are available in other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publications.

The handbook conforms to pilot training and certification concepts established by the FAA.

Brief Contents
1 Introduction to the Helicopter
2 Aerodynamics of Flight
3 Helicopter Flight Controls
4 Helicopter Components, Sections, and Systems
5 Rotorcraft Flight Manual
6 Weight and Balance
7 Helicopter Performance
8 Ground Procedures and Flight Preparations
9 Basic Flight Maneuvers
10 Advanced Flight Maneuvers
11 Helicopter Emergencies and Hazards
12 Attitude Instrument Flying
13 Night Operations
14 Effective Aeronautical Decision-Making
Glossary
Index
ERRATA Listing


Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction to the Helicopter
Introduction
Uses
Rotor System
Rotor Configurations
Tail Rotor
Controlling Flight
Flight Conditions
Chapter 2 Aerodynamics of Flight
Introduction
Forces Acting on the Aircraft
Lift
Bernoulli’s Principle
Venturi Flow
Newton’s Third Law of Motion
Weight
Thrust
Drag
Profile Drag
Induced Drag
Parasite Drag
Total Drag
Airfoil
Airfoil Terminology and Definitions
Airfoil Types
Symmetrical Airfoil
Nonsymmetrical Airfoil (Cambered)
Rotor Blade and Hub Definitions
Airflow and Reactions in the Rotor System
Relative Wind
Rotational Relative Wind (Tip-Path Plane)
Resultant Relative Wind
Induced Flow (Downwash)
Rotor Blade Angles
Angle of Incidence
Angle of Attack
Powered Flight
Hovering Flight
Translating Tendency (Drift)
Pendular Action
Coriolis Effect (Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum)
Gyroscopic Precession
Vertical Flight
Forward Flight
Airflow in Forward Flight
Advancing Blade
Retreating Blade
Dissymmetry of Lift
Translational Lift
Effective Translational Lift (ETL)
Translational Thrust
Induced Flow
Transverse Flow Effect
Sideward Flight
Rearward Flight
Turning Flight
Autorotation
Hovering Autorotation
Autorotation (Forward Flight)
Chapter Summary
Chapter 3 Helicopter Flight Controls
Introduction
Collective Pitch Control
Throttle Control
Governor/Correlator
Cyclic Pitch Control
Antitorque Pedals
Chapter Summary
Chapter 4 Helicopter Components, Sections, and Systems
Introduction
Airframe
Fuselage
Main Rotor System
Semirigid Rotor System
Rigid Rotor System
Fully Articulated Rotor System
Tandem Rotor
Swash Plate Assembly
Freewheeling Unit
Antitorque System
Antitorque Drive Systems
Engines
Reciprocating Engines
Turbine Engines
Compressor
Combustion Chamber
Turbine
Accessory Gearbox
Transmission System
Main Rotor Transmission
Dual Tachometers
Structural Design
Clutch
Belt Drive Clutch
Centrifugal Clutch
Fuel Systems
Fuel Supply System
Engine Fuel Control System
Carburetor Ice
Electrical Systems
Hydraulics
Stability Augmentations Systems
Force Trim
Active Augmentation Systems
Autopilot
Environmental Systems
Anti-Icing Systems
Engine Anti-Ice
Carburetor Icing
Airframe Anti-Ice
Deicing
Chapter Summary
Chapter 5 Rotorcraft Flight Manual
Introduction
Preliminary Pages
General Information (Section 1)
Operating Limitations (Section 2)
Instrument Markings
Airspeed Limitations
Altitude Limitations
Rotor Limitations
Powerplant Limitations
Flight Limitations
Placards
Emergency Procedures (Section 3)
Normal Procedures (Section 4)
Performance (Section 5)
Weight and Balance (Section 6)
Aircraft and Systems Description (Section 7)
Handling, Servicing, and Maintenance (Section 8)
Supplements (Section 9)
Safety and Operational Tips (Section 10)
Chapter Summary
Chapter 6 Weight and Balance
Introduction
Weight
Basic Empty Weight
Maximum Gross Weight
Weight Limitations
Balance
Center of Gravity
CG Forward of Forward Limit
CG Aft of Aft Limit
Lateral Balance
Weight and Balance Calculations
Reference Datum
Chapter Summary
Chapter 7 Helicopter Performance
Introduction
Factors Affecting Performance
Moisture (Humidity)
Weight
Winds
Performance Charts
Autorotational Performance
Hovering Performance
Sample Hover Problem 1
Sample Hover Problem 2
Sample Hover Problem 3
Climb Performance
Sample Cruise or Level Flight Problem
Sample Climb Problem
Chapter Summary
Chapter 8 Ground Procedures and Flight Preparations
Introduction
Preflight
Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs) and Operations with Inoperative Equipment
Engine Start And Rotor Engagement
Rotor Safety Considerations
Aircraft Servicing
Safety In and Around Helicopters
Ramp Attendants and Aircraft Servicing Personnel Passengers
Pilot at the Flight Controls
After Landing and Securing
Chapter Summary
Chapter 9
Basic Flight Maneuvers
Introduction
The Four Fundamentals
Guidelines
Vertical Takeoff to a Hover
Technique
Common Errors
Hovering
Technique
Common Errors
Hovering Turn
Technique
Common Errors
Hovering—Forward Flight
Technique
Common Errors
Hovering—Sideward Flight
Technique
Common Errors
Hovering—Rearward Flight
Technique
Common Errors
Taxiing
Hover Taxi
Air Taxi
Technique
Common Errors
Surface Taxi
Technique
Common Errors
Normal Takeoff From a Hover
Technique
Common Errors
Normal Takeoff From the Surface
Technique
Common Errors
Crosswind Considerations During Takeoffs
Straight-and-Level Flight
Technique
Common Errors
Turns
Technique
Slips
Skids
Normal Climb
Technique
Common Errors
Normal Descent
Technique
Common Errors
Ground Reference Maneuvers
Rectangular Course
Technique
Common Errors
S-Turns
Technique
Common Errors
Turns Around a Point
Technique
S-Turn Common Errors
Traffic Patterns
Approaches
Normal Approach to a Hover
Technique
Common Errors
Normal Approach to the Surface
Technique
Common Errors
Crosswind During Approaches
Go-Around
Chapter Summary
Chapter 10 Advanced Flight Maneuvers
Introduction
Reconnaissance Procedures
High Reconnaissance
Low Reconnaissance
Ground Reconnaissance
Maximum Performance Takeoff
Technique
Common Errors
Running/Rolling Takeoff
Technique
Common Errors
Rapid Deceleration or Quick Stop
Technique
Common Errors
Steep Approach
Technique
Common Errors
Shallow Approach and Running/Roll-On Landing
Technique
Common Errors
Slope Operations
Slope Landing
Technique
Common Errors
Slope Takeoff
Technique
Common Errors
Confined Area Operations
Approach
Takeoff
Common Errors
Pinnacle and Ridgeline Operations
Approach and Landing
Takeoff
Common Errors
Chapter Summary
Chapter 11 Helicopter Emergencies and Hazards
Introduction
Autorotation
Straight-In Autorotation
Technique
Common Errors
Autorotation With Turns
Technique
Common Errors
Practice Autorotation With a Power Recovery
Technique
Common Errors
Power Failure in a Hover
Technique
Common Errors
Height/Velocity Diagram
The Effect of Weight Versus Density Altitude
Common Errors
Settling With Power (Vortex Ring State)
Common Errors
Retreating Blade Stall
Common Errors
Ground Resonance
Dynamic Rollover
Critical Conditions
Cyclic Trim
Normal Takeoffs and Landings
Slope Takeoffs and Landings
Use of Collective
Precautions
Low-G Conditions and Mast Bumping
Low Rotor RPM and Blade Stall
Recovery From Low Rotor RPM
System Malfunctions
Antitorque System Failure
Landing—Stuck Left Pedal
Landing—Stuck Neutral or Right Pedal
Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness (LTE)
Main Rotor Disk Interference (285–315°)
Weathercock Stability (120–240°)
LTE at Altitude
Reducing the Onset of LTE
Recovery Technique
Main Drive Shaft or Clutch Failure
Hydraulic Failure
Governor or Fuel Control Failure
Abnormal Vibration
Low-Frequency Vibrations
Medium- and High-Frequency Vibrations
Tracking and Balance
Multiengine Emergency Operations
Single-Engine Failure
Dual-Engine Failure
Lost Procedures
Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear
Chapter Summary
Chapter 12 Attitude Instrument Flying
Introduction
Flight Instruments
Instrument Check
Airspeed Indicator
Altimeter
Turn Indicator
Magnetic Compass
Helicopter Control and Performance
Helicopter Control
Common Errors of Attitude Instrument Flying
Fixation
Omission
Emphasis
Inadvertent Entry into IMC
Glass Cockpit or Advanced Avionics Aircraft
Chapter Summary
Chapter 13 Night Operations
Introduction
Visual Deficiencies
Night Myopia
Hyperopia
Astigmatism
Presbyopia
Vision in Flight
Visual Acuity
The Eye
Cones
Rods
Night Vision
Night Scanning
Obstruction Detection
Aircraft Lighting
Visual Illusions
Relative-Motion Illusion
Confusion With Ground Lights
Reversible Perspective Illusion
Flicker Vertigo
Night Flight
Preflight
Cockpit Lights
Engine Starting and Rotor Engagement
Taxi Technique
Takeoff
En Route Procedures
Collision Avoidance at Night
Approach and Landing
Illusions Leading to Landing Errors
Featureless Terrain Illusion
Atmospheric Illusions
Ground Lighting Illusions
Helicopter Night VFR Operations
Chapter Summary
Chapter 14 Effective Aeronautical Decision-Making
Introduction
Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM)
Scenario
Trescott Tips
The Decision-Making Process
Defining the Problem
Choosing a Course of Action
Implementing the Decision and Evaluating the Outcome
Decision-Making Models
Pilot Self-Assessment
Curiosity: Healthy or Harmful?
The PAVE Checklist
Single-Pilot Resource Management
Risk Management
Four Risk Elements
Assessing Risk
Using the 3P Model To Form Good Safety Habits
Workload or Task Management
Situational Awareness
Obstacles to Maintaining Situational Awareness
Operational Pitfalls
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) Awareness
Automation Management
Chapter Summary
Glossary
Index
ERRATA Listing

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