Rotary Wing Pilot

Introduction to Helicopters (Basics)

Rotary wing (RW) aircraft, commonly referred to as helicopters, are a unique set of aircraft in that they have different flight characteristics. Helicopters, unlike fixed wing (FW) aircraft, are able to hover on a point and fly in any direction at their discretion at any speed. Due to their agility, helicopters are a key asset in close air support and transportation of personnel and logistics as well as providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

The Pilot Role

In the case of any air vehicle, the pilot ultimately has the final say as to how the aircraft is manipulated. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the pilot to:

• Ensure the safe operation of his aircraft at all times;

• Plan his route (taking into consideration terrain and environment.

• Rotary Wing Pilots are the commanders of their own vehicles. They take responsibility and have final say in all matters pertaining to the aircraft and its operation (including LZ)

After getting your certification, you may be expected to

• Operate rotary aircraft in an offensive manner;

• Transport supplies and personnel;

• Provide ISR flights.

• Perform CASEVACS

Key Helicopter Components

Main Rotor: Creates lift, which allows the aircraft to gain altitude, by spinning the rotor blades at a set speed. To gain height the rotors change their angle of attack which allows the lift produced to change.

Tail Rotor (Anti-torque rotor): Counters the effect the main rotor has on the aircraft, by pulling against the torque of the main rotor and holding the aircraft straight. It can also be used as a rudder, which is used to control the Yaw of the aircraft.

Skids: Used as landing protection. These are flexible structures, under the belly of the aircraft, which cushion the landing of the aircraft and allow it to sit still on the ground.

Tail Boom: A structure that connects the tail rotor assembly to the main fuselage. In some helicopters this can extend far behind the cockpit and considerations must be made when landing in constricted LZs.

Axis of Flight

Pitch (Lateral Axis): Nose down and Nose Up [W / S]

Roll (Longitudinal Axis): Turns / Rolls the aircraft left or right [A / D]

Yaw (Vertical Axis): Points the helicopter in a certain direction [Q / E]

Thrust (Collective Up / Down): Increases / decreases lift: [Shift / Z]

Helicopter Instruments

HUD Indicator

The HUD indicator shows you the status of various components of your aircraft. The HUD is therefore divided into 5 sections: ATRQ, MROT, ENG, HULL, and INST. When the components are in good working condition it will indicate white. With varying levels of damage, the indicator will change to yellow, orange, and eventually red; indicating destruction.

ATRQ: Anti-torque or tail rotor. Red indicates that the tail rotor is completely destroyed while other colored shades indicate reduced working capacity. Loss of tail rotor will cause the helicopter to spin in the direction of the main rotor.

MROT: Main rotor. If your main rotor fails, you will simply fall out of the sky. Autorotation will not work as the device that generates lift is destroyed.

ENG: Engine. If the engine is destroyed, the aircraft will lose power and you will be forced to execute an autorotation procedure.

HULL: This shows the integrity of the aircraft’s structure. If this is heavily damaged the helicopter will simply explode.

INST: Instruments. Once this is destroyed you will notice that your instruments will be shattered and electronic HUDs will start to flicker. Failure in this component is not as life threatening as others.

Attitude Indicator (AI) / Artificial Horizon: is a flight instrument that informs the pilot of the aircraft orientation relative to Earth's horizon, and gives an immediate indication of the smallest orientation change. The miniature aircraft and horizon bar mimic the relationship of the aircraft relative to the actual horizon. Explain the degree of bank angles on the AI too.

Airspeed Indicator: The airspeed indicator (ASI) or airspeed gauge is a flight instrument indicating the airspeed of an aircraft in knots (kn)

Vertical Speed Indicator: A Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI), also known as a Rate of Climb and Descent Indicator (RCDI) is an instrument which indicates the rate of climb or descent of an aircraft.

Altimeter: An altimeter or an altitude meter is an instrument used to measure the altitude of an object above a fixed level.

Certification Grade

Intent of Examiner: To test actual operational requirements of the pilots. Pilots must pass all sections of this test to get a rotary pilot cert. Pilots are to successfully execute all examination objectives or shall fail the certification. All examination objectives are to be tested on an individual basis. There will be some ground time for some participants. Use your judgement on when to send the next pilot into any of the respective examination objectives.

Examination Objectives

1. Take-off and land smoothly without auto-hover in designated areas and tight spaces and under fire

2. Control the aircraft smoothly in all phases of flight

3. Maintain proper altitude and speed in all phases of flight

4. Evade hostile fire and use countermeasures effectively

5. Execute emergency procedures (auto-rotation and anti-torque failure)

Examination Flow

Take-off, Landing & Smooth Maneuvering of Aircraft (2 Tries)

1. Take-off in the MH-6 Little Bird and fly towards the training area West of Nagara to follow the circuit as outlined by the yellow circles. Entrance of the circuit is marked by dashed yellow and the exit is marked with solid red.

2. Fly through the circles and maintain at least 80 km/h at any given point (with some exceptions on steep inclines).

3. You will be observed for smooth controls.

4. Communicate on Command Net when you are clear of the Training Area.

You have 2 tries to pass.

Emergency Procedures

1. While returning from the Northern Airfield, you will be told to perform controlled emergency procedures.

2. You will perform the auto-rotation and anti-torque emergency procedure. Anti-torque procedure will be first. You will be tested on both low and high speed anti-torque failure. Upon successful landing after the high speed anti-torque recovery, you will be instructed to climb up again and demonstrate the low speed anti-torque recovery procedure (without landing)

3. You will only be given 2 tries to complete these emergency procedures successfully. Failure in any of the two sections (autorotation or anti-torque emergency procedures) will be classified as an overall FAIL.

Landing in Tight Spaces

1. You will be asked to get in a HH-60 Pave Hawk fly to LZ Delta.

2. You must land within the confines of the compound without damaging the aircraft.

3. Landing will be done under fire simulating real operational stress.

Evading Hostile Fire & Using Countermeasures

1. At some point you will be engaged by an AA site.

2. You must deploy your countermeasures appropriately and must make some sort of attempt to evade the missile.

3. Deploying flares when a missile is launched is counted as a PASS even if the helicopter gets hit.