Rotorcraft Flying Handbook

The essential guide for anyone who wants to fly a helicopter or gyroplane newly updated.

The Rotorcraft Flying Handbook is designed as a technical manual for applicants who are preparing for their private, commercial, or flight instructor pilot certificates with a helicopter or gyroplane 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. Contents: Chapter 1—Introduction to the Helicopter; Chapter 2—General Aerodynamics; Chapter 3—Aerodynamics of Flight; Chapter 4—Helicopter Flight Controls; Chapter 5—Helicopter Systems; Chapter 6—Rotorcraft Flight Manual (Helicopter); Chapter 7—Weight and Balance; Chapter 8 Performance; Chapter 9—Basic Flight Maneuvers; Chapter 10—Advanced Maneuvers; Chapter 11—Helicopter Emergencies; Chapter 12—Attitude Instrument Flying; Chapter 13—Night Operations; Chapter 14—Aeronautical Decision Making; Chapter 15—Introduction to the Gyroplane; Chapter 16—Aerodynamics of the Gyroplane; Chapter 17—Gyroplane Flight Controls; Chapter 18—Gyroplane Systems; Chapter 19—Rotorcraft Flight Manual (Gyroplane); Chapter 20—Flight Operations; Chapter 21—Gyroplane Emergencies; Chapter 22—Gyroplane Aeronautical Decision Making; Glossary and index.

The Rotorcraft Flying Handbook is designed as a technical manual for applicants who are preparing for their private, commercial, or flight instructor pilot certificates with a helicopter or gyroplane 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. This handbook conforms to pilot training and certification concepts established by the FAA. There are different ways of teaching, as well as performing flight procedures and maneuvers, and many variations in the explanations of aerodynamic theories and principles. This handbook adopts a selective method and concept to flying helicopters and gyroplanes. The discussion and explanations reflect the most commonly used practices and principles. Occasionally, the word "must" or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). This handbook is divided into two parts. The first part, chapters 1 through 14, covers helicopters, and the second part, chapters 15 through 22, covers gyroplanes. The glossary and index apply to both parts. It is essential for persons using this handbook to also become familiar with and apply the pertinent parts of 14 CFR and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). Performance standards for demonstrating competence required for pilot certification are prescribed in the appropriate rotorcraft practical test standard. This handbook supersedes Advisory Circular (AC) 61-13B, Basic Helicopter Handbook, dated 1978. In addition, all or part of the information contained in the following advisory circulars are included in this handbook: AC 90-87, Helicopter Dynamic Rollover; AC 90-95, Unanticipated Right Yaw in Helicopters; AC 91-32B, Safety in and around Helicopters; and AC 91-42D, Hazards of Rotating Propeller and Helicopter Rotor Blades.

The Rotorcraft Flying Handbook is designed as a technical manual for applicants who are preparing for their private, commercial, or flight instructor pilot certificates with a helicopter or gyroplane 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. This handbook conforms to pilot training and certification concepts established by the FAA. There are different ways of teaching, as well as performing flight procedures and maneuvers, and many variations in the explanations of aerodynamic theories and principles. This handbook adopts a selective method and concept to flying helicopters and gyroplanes. The discussion and explanations reflect the most commonly used practices and principles. Occasionally, the word “must” or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). This handbook is divided into two parts. The first part, chapters 1 through 14, covers helicopters, and the second part, chapters 15 through 22, covers gyroplanes. The glossary and index apply to both parts. It is essential for persons using this handbook to also become familiar with and apply the pertinent parts of 14 CFR and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). Performance standards for demonstrating competence required for pilot certification are prescribed in the appropriate rotorcraft practical test standard. This handbook supersedes Advisory Circular (AC) 61-13B, Basic Helicopter Handbook, dated 1978. In addition, all or part of the information contained in the following advisory circulars are included in this handbook: AC 90-87, Helicopter Dynamic Rollover; AC 90-95, Unanticipated Right Yaw in Helicopters; AC 91-32B, Safety in and around Helicopters; and AC 91-42D, Hazards of Rotating Propeller and Helicopter Rotor Blades.

One problem with helicoptering is that there are virtually no flying clubs, at least of the sort that exist for fixed wing, so pilots get very little chance to swap stories, unless they meet in a muddy field somewhere, waiting for their passengers. As a result, the same mistakes are being made and the same lessons learnt separately instead of being shared - it's comforting sometimes to know that you're not the only one to inflate the floats by accident! Even when you do get into a school, there are still a couple of things they don't teach you, namely that aviation runs on paperwork, and how to get a job, including interview techniques, etc - flying the aircraft is actually less than a third of the job. Another is that nobody really tells you anything, either about the job you have to do (from the customer) or how to do it (the company) - you will always be up against the other guy who managed to do it last week! Sure, there will be training, but, even in the best companies, this will be relatively minimal. This book is an attempt to correct the above situations by gathering together as much information as possible for helicopter pilots, old and new, professional and otherwise, in an attempt to explain the why, so the how will become easier (you will be so much more useful if you know what the customer is trying to achieve). In short, this is all the stuff nobody taught me - every tip and trick I have learnt has been included.

The Rotorcraft Flying Handbook is designed as a technical manual for applicants who are preparing for their private, commercial, or flight instructor pilot certificates with a helicopter or gyroplane 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. This handbook conforms to pilot training and certification concepts established by the FAA. There are different ways of teaching, as well as performing flight procedures and maneuvers, and many variations in the explanations of aerodynamic theories and principles. This handbook adopts a selective method and concept to flying helicopters and gyroplanes. The discussion and explanations reflect the most commonly used practices and principles. Occasionally, the word "must" or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). This handbook is divided into two parts. The first part, chapters 1 through 14, covers helicopters, and the second part, chapters 15 through 22, covers gyroplanes. The glossary and index apply to both parts. It is essential for persons using this handbook to also become familiar with and apply the pertinent parts of 14 CFR and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). Performance standards for demonstrating competence required for pilot certification are prescribed in the appropriate rotorcraft practical test standard. This handbook supersedes Advisory Circular (AC) 61-13B, Basic Helicopter Handbook, dated 1978. In addition, all or part of the information contained in the following advisory circulars are included in this handbook: AC 90- 87, Helicopter Dynamic Rollover; AC 90-95, Unanticipated Right Yaw in Helicopters; AC 91-32B, Safety in and around Helicopters; and AC 91-42D, Hazards of Rotating Propeller and Helicopter Rotor Blades. FAA-H-8083-21

Based on the author's EASA approved ATPL(H) modular distance learning course, this book provides all the material required for the EASA exams, including the PPL(H), CPL(H) and ATPL(H), plus a few extras, like the Instrument Rating. The book has been specially designed for the needs of professional or military pilots seeking to gain an alternative licence, but newcomers to the industry can use it, too, since it assumes no previous knowledge.