AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - 93
P&E
Flight
proficiency ü
PROFICIENCY
More than
a bumpy ride
Aeronautical
knowledge
exam ü
Unique considerations with helicopters and turbulence
B Y M A R K U S L AV E N S O N
Pilot Protection
Services ✗
TWO FIREFIGHTING HELICOPTERS work a steep slope, where the heat from the fire can cause
JEREMY AVERETT
updraft airflow through the rotor system, one of the VRS conditions. Keeping airspeed
greater than 10 knots and lower terrain to the right, these highly skilled pilots avoid the possibility of VRS and have positioned the aircraft well in case they encounter a sudden loss of
performance caused by turbulent air.
HELICOPTERS HAVE the unique ability to
sustain flight without requiring airspeed.
However, the ability to fly slowly and even
hover presents special considerations
regarding turbulence.
While all aircraft are subject to
adverse effects of turbulent air, particularly downdrafts and wind shear near the
ground, there are specific aspects a helicopter pilot should consider. Turbulence
can make for an uncomfortable ride in any
aircraft, but it's the sudden changes to
vertical rate and airspeed that are critical
to safe flight in a helicopter. Turbulence
can adversely affect performance, induce
vortex ring state (VRS), and cause loss of
tail rotor effectiveness.
Consider a heavily loaded helicopter
hovering in a high density altitude condition at or near maximum power in a 25-knot
wind. A decrease in wind speed below effective translational lift (16 to 24 knots) will
cause the aircraft to sink unless more power
is available. In effective translational lift,
increased airspeed or wind makes lift generated by the rotor disk more effective. One way
to think of performance is related to airspeed;
the further below best rate of climb airspeed
(VY), the less efficient the rotor system and
the greater the power requirement-with a
significant dropoff in performance just below
effective translational lift.
Helicopters also require slightly more
power hovering in a wind just below effective translational lift than in no wind,
as the main rotor disc is tilted forward
slightly, sacrificing part of the vertical lifting force for enough forward horizontal
thrust to hold position against the wind.
Above effective translational lift, such
aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 93
Learn more
aopa.org/pps
or call
800.872.2672
Available for membership levels with Pilot
Protection Services coverage
http://www.aopa.org/pps
http://www.aopa.org/pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020
Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - Intro
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - Cover1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - 2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - 4
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - 5
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - 7
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2020 - Cover4
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