LOW FLYING. 1. Manoeuvre the helicopter safely at low level: a) At high speed -In the low flying area at 70kts/50ft above obstacles

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1 EXERCISE 18 LOW FLYING TRAINING OBJECTIVES: 1. Manoeuvre the helicopter safely at low level: a) At high speed -In the low flying area at 70kts/50ft above obstacles b) At low speed -In the low flying area at 40kts/50ft above obstacles 2. From straight and level carry out a quickstop -Maintaining height & heading into wind. 3. From straight and level downwind, carry out a quickstop into wind: a) By turning and flaring -Maintaining height b) By flaring and turning -Maintaining height 4. From straight and level crosswind, carry out a: a) Procedure Turn b) Agricultural Turn 5. Carry out a successful power-off landing, following -100ft AGL/70kts into wind a simulated engine failure at low level. 6. Display AIRMANSHIP. INTRODUCTION: Low flying training does not give the pilot the right to fly low level whenever he/she pleases. Flight below 500ft AGL is only permitted when conducting certain types of airwork (eg: mustering, agricultural spraying etc), and then only if CASA have given the operator approval to do so. When joining a new company ensure you read and understand the Company Operations Manual fully, as among other things, this will detail how and when you may conduct low flying operations. Passengers cannot be carried when conducting low level training. Be aware that low level flying there is always an added risk, which is accepted to complete the task. Once the need for low flight is over, climb to a safe height. A minor failure at medium level becomes a difficult failure at low level, as you have no height to react. Radio range will also be reduced, so you may not be able to advise someone if you have a problem. V 2 helicopters Flying School Exercise 18 Page No. 1

2 HAZARDS: Hazards involved with low flying include: wires, dead trees, downdraughts, turbulence, wind effects, birds/sun (Clean bubble)/false Horizons & Retreating Blade Stall. Low flying therefore demands: a) Good Lookout b) Attention to airspeed and power requirements c) Anticipation ENTRY TO AREA (L.F.A) Prior to low flying: 1. Recce of the Area a) Boundaries Pick points when spraying etc Road to North/River to East etc b) Wires c) Population d) Livestock 2. Risk Management a) Fly low level only when absolutely necessary, Look at Ht/Velocity graph. b) Select a flight path which provides forced landing areas. c) Cross power lines at poles. 3. Checks a) H.A.S.E.L checks. b) Wind checks. c) Fuel contents check 1. MANOEUVRE HELICOPTER AT LOW LEVEL HIGH SPEED: Controls: The cyclic controls airspeed The collective controls height -70kts -50ft above obstacles Variations: Cyclic to assist with climbs over steep terrain. Reduce speed if visibility is poor. Steep Turns: Any turn with an angle of bank greater than 45 o is classified as a steep turn. Cylic to initiate the turn airspeed to remain above 40kts. Collective to maintain height at 50ft AGL. V 2 helicopters Flying School Exercise 18 Page No. 2

3 Avoid: -Approaching hills or ridges at 90 degrees. -Zero or negative G manoeuvres (Mast Bumping) -Retreating blade stall -Overspeeds -Inadvertent speed loss LOW SPEED: Controls: The cyclic controls airspeed The collective controls height -less than 40kias -50ft above obstacles Beware of loss of ETL! Wind Effects: 1. Ground speed/indicated Airspeed Relationship (IAS): When turning downwind groundspeed increases, IAS decreases, lift reduces. When turning into wind, groundspeed decreases, IAS increases, lift increases. 2. Wind effects in the turn: When turning into wind the aircraft experiences an apparent slip. When turning downwind the aircraft experiences an apparent skid. V 2 helicopters Flying School Exercise 18 Page No. 3

4 2. FROM STRAIGHT & LEVEL FLIGHT, CARRY OUT A QUICKSTOP INTO WIND: Quickstops are used to rapidly reduce ground speed to zero. 1. Start a progressive flare, from 70kts, 50ft A.G.L., over a clear area, to reduce ground speed. 2. Simultaneously lower collective to maintain height, selecting a distant feature to use as a heading reference. 3. Co-ordinate flare and lever to maintain height. 4. Passing 20kts anticipate loss of ETL by raising collective to prevent sink. 5. Select a hover attitude allow helicopter to vertically descend to a normal hover height. Beware of Vortex Ring State! Quickstop Errors: -Flaring to low. -Descending in the hover. -Allowing RPM to raise above safe limits. Quickstop into wind V 2 helicopters Flying School Exercise 18 Page No. 4

5 3. FROM STRAIGHT & LEVEL DOWNWIND, CARRY OUT A QUICKSTOP INTO WIND: TURN & FLARE TECHNIQUE: 1. At 70kts/50ft A.G.L. downwind, roll into a level steep turn. 2. Passing through 90 degrees of the turn, flare the helicopter. 3. Roll out of the turn and into wind at 30Kias. 4. Establish the hover then move forward and down to the normal hover height. Turn & Flare V 2 helicopters Flying School Exercise 18 Page No. 5

6 FLARE & TURN TECHNIQUE: 1. 70kts/50ft A.G.L. downwind initiate a normal quickstop. 2. As speed reduces to 50kias, roll into a level steep turn. 3. Roll out of the turn into wind at 30kias. 4. Establish the hover then move forward and down to a normal hover height. Flare & Turn Note: -Turn and flare takes you further crosswind. -Flare and turn takes you further downwind. Turn & Flare Flare & Turn QUICKSTOP ERRORS ARE THE SAME IN THE ABOVE TURNS, ONLY MORE PRONOUNCED. V 2 helicopters Flying School Exercise 18 Page No. 6

7 4. FROM STRAIGHT & LEVEL CROSSWIND CARRY OUT PROCEDURE TURNS & AGRICULTURAL TURNS PROCEDURE TURNS: 180 DEGREE LEVEL TURN 1. Select and fly a line feature, preferably crosswind 2. To reverse track: a) Turn 45 degrees away from the wind b) Pause c) Reverse the turn, to roll out on the reciprocal track. IAS should be maintained during the procedure turn. 60 kts Procedure Turn AGRICULTURAL TURNS: DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROCEDURE TURN 1. Make turn (45 degree) away from the wind, simultaneously starting a gentle climb with cyclic. 2. As speed reduces, the turn is reversed. 3. Allow the nose of the helicopter to fall to regain speed as the helicopter rolls out on a reciprocal track. Note: -Entry and exit speeds should be the same. -Maintain positive G throughout the turn. -Maintain balance. -Turns are essentially cyclic turns. 60 kts Agricultural Turns V 2 helicopters Flying School Exercise 18 Page No. 7

8 5. CARRY OUT A SUCCESSFUL POWER-OFF LANDING FOLLOWING A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE AT LOW LEVEL: At ft/70 kts into wind the instructor will lower collective/close the throttle to simulate an engine failure. 1. Simultaneously lower collective and initiate a flare aiming to maintain height and reduce airspeed for a normal engine off landing. IF SPEED LESS THAN 70 kts: 1. Lower the collective. 2. Select and maintain level attitude. 3. If the speed is above 50kias -carry out a normal Engine Off Landing. -flare may need to be higher and harder. If the speed is below 50kias -carry out a constant attitude Engine Off Landing (no flare). AIRMANSHIP: 1. Never fly low level unless absolutely necessary. 2. Low fly only in approved low flying area. 3. Always recce the area before low flying and plan your route to fly. 4. Continue to monitor the wind velocity and direction. 5. Never fly into areas of known turbulence. 6. Maintain a good LOOKOUT. 7. Observe aircraft limitations. V 2 helicopters Flying School Exercise 18 Page No. 8

9 COMPETENCY STANDARD: The student will be able to manoeuvre the aircraft at low level and conduct patterns into and out of wind, maintaining a safe altitude and keeping the aircraft in balance throughout. The student will be able to conduct straight ahead quickstops, flare and turn quickstops, & turn and flare quickstops. The student will also be able to conduct Procedure Turns and Agricultural turns. LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this flight the student will be able to confidently manoeuvre the aircraft at low level. The student will gain an appreciation of the difficulties of operating at low level. V 2 helicopters Flying School Exercise 18 Page No. 9