| Helicopter Flight Controls |
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FLIGHT REGIMES Helicopters can operate in several flight regimes. ''Forward flight'' is when airspeed is greater than 15 mph, which is about the point of ''effective translational lift'' (ETL). At ETL, less engine power is required until about 40 mph airspeed when power requirements increase again. ''Hover in Ground Effect '' is when the helicopter is flying within a half main rotor diameter above the ground and less than about 15 mph airspeed (ETL). This requires a significant amount of power, much more than in forward flight, but less then hover out of ground effect. ''Hover out of ground effect'' is similar to hover in ground effect, but the altitide is greater than a half main rotor diameter. This requires the greatest amount of engine power and is also the most dangerous flight condition. ''Autorotation'' is a descent with no engine power used. The engine can still be running, but a one-way Freewheel disengages the engine from the Transmission . Autorotation is used for emergency landing or high speed descent. The following mnemonics are used to recall changes necessary for speed-up and for slowing:
Note that left pedal is applied with increased collective for counterclockwise rotating main rotor (advancing from pilots right to left). This is common in most American made helicopters. For counterclockwise main rotors, right pedal is applied with increased collective. The following is a table of helicopter flight controls. SEE ALSO over torque used for emergency only |
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