What you will learn
- Understand helicopter-specific aerodynamics including translating tendency, gyroscopic precession, and dissymmetry of lift.
- Perform and explain hovering maneuvers, takeoffs, landings, and slope operations.
- Execute autorotation procedures including entry, descent management, flare, and cushion.
- Recognize and recover from settling with power, LTE, and dynamic rollover.
- Plan confined area and pinnacle operations using high and low reconnaissance.
- Apply helicopter-specific FAA regulations and calculate rotorcraft performance.
Topics covered
Helicopter Aerodynamics
Translating tendency, gyroscopic precession, dissymmetry of lift, effective translational lift, retreating blade stall, and ground resonance.
Helicopter Systems
Main rotor systems (fully articulated, semi-rigid, rigid), tail rotor, freewheeling unit, swashplate, correlator, governor, and transmission.
Hovering Maneuvers
Vertical takeoff and landing, hovering flight, hovering turns, hovering autorotation, air taxi, and IGE vs. OGE hover performance.
Takeoffs, Landings & Go-Arounds
Normal and running takeoffs and landings, slope operations, and go-around procedures specific to rotorcraft.
Autorotation
Straight-in autorotation, power recovery, flare and cushion technique, rotor RPM management, and the height-velocity diagram.
Emergency Operations
Engine failure procedures, tail rotor failure, settling with power recovery, LTE recognition, dynamic rollover awareness, and systems malfunctions.
Special Operations
Confined area operations (high/low reconnaissance), pinnacle and ridgeline operations, and ground resonance awareness.
Helicopter Regulations & Weather
Part 91 helicopter exceptions, heliport operations, wind effects on hover, density altitude on OGE performance, and mechanical turbulence near terrain.
Prerequisites
- •No prior helicopter knowledge required — this module starts from rotorcraft fundamentals.
- •Basic understanding of aerodynamics is helpful but not required.
- •Access to the FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21B) is recommended.